Attention Holi revellers! As the festival of riots of colour is round the corner, you don’t have to plan to travel to Bankey Bihari Temple in Mathura or to Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh to experience the joyous festivities of ‘Phoolon Ki Holi’ and the spirited fervour of ‘Lath Mar’ and ‘Matka Phod’ Holi, symbols of the eternal love between Radha and Krishna.
Instead, get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of festival of colours at the heart of the national Capital in Dwarka at the ISKCON temple which has curated a delightful array of festivities — from the mesmerising ‘Phoolon Ki Holi’ to the spirited ‘Lath Maar’ and ‘Matka Phod’ Holi, all the vibrant traditions symbolising the eternal love between Radha and Krishna coming alive under one roof on March 25.
Thus, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and traditions associated with the auspicious occasion.
Vice president of ISKCON Dwarka Sri Gaur Prabhuji told The Pioneer that the much-awaited festival of Holi on March 25, a day after the Holika Dahan is being celebrated with great pomp and deep devotion on March 25 in Shri Shri Rukmini Dwarkadheesh Temple.
“Not only flower Holi, lathmar Holi, matka phod Holi have been lined up but many colourful programmes are being organised here. Thousands of devotees will come to the temple, to have darshan of the Lord and celebrate Holi together,” he said.
At ISKCON Dwarka, Holi isn’t just a festival; it’s a spiritual journey. The ‘Phoolon Ki Holi’ will transform the traditional splashes of colour into a delicate dance of fragrant flowers, filling the air with their sweet aroma. Similarly, Lath Maar Holi will be played amidst the laughter and joy with devotees coming together to honour the eternal bond between Radha and Krishna.
Prabhuji said lakhs of dishes will be offered throughout the day. 250 kilograms of cake will be offered to the Lord and distributed among the devotees, he said. At ISKCON Dwarka Holi will be celebrated in a very sattvik and beautiful manner in which there will be joy and also festivities around Lord Shri Krishna.
“We want all the residents to come here to the temple and play Holi with each other and Lord with flowers, take part in different festivities, have soul touching prasad and feel divine bliss,” said Prabhuji.
Anjana Cashyap, a resident of Mayur Vihar Phase 2, Delhi is already excited and has made plans to be at the festival being celebrated at the Iskon Temple.
“I love this festival of colours and had plans to visit Mathura to participate in the festival of flowers. Last year, I was at Barsana to witness Lath Maar Holi.
“But now at Dwarka’s ISKON Temple I can experience the enchanting ‘Phoolon Ki Holi’, where fragrant flowers are expected to fill the air with their sweet aroma and simultaneously dive into the energetic rhythms of ‘Lath Maar’ and ‘Matka Phod’ Holi, re-enacting the playful antics of Radha and Krishna,” she said.
Ramesh Kumar, an IT engineer, shares Anjana’s excitement. His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he imagined himself participating in the spirited ‘Lath Maar’ Holi, where colour-drenched women armed with sticks playfully tease men, mirroring the age-old love story of Radha and Krishna.
Phoolon ki Holi is one of the most picturesque forms of Holi where instead of colours, fragrant flower petals are used to playfully drench each other in colors of nature along with Lord Krishna.
No Holi celebration is complete without delicious sweets, food and drinks. Hence, food stalls offering a variety of traditional snacks associated with the festival like gujiya, thandai, pakoras, and sweets will be on the platter during the festivities, a perfect setting to enjoy the festive spirit with family and friends.
With cultural performances, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere, the organisers shared that they expect a large crowd of devotees and visitors alike to celebrate the riots of colours with spirituality.
