Holi with flowers begins at Govind Devji Temple in Jaipur

21 March, 2013

There are certain rituals associated with Holi to be observed in temples. In many temples, Phagotsava and special devotional performances a few days prior to the actual festival of Holi are organised. The showering of flower petals on one another along with singing ofsongs, bhajans and hymns in praise of Lord Krishna and divine love of Radha and Krishna are the events organized during the week prior to Holi day. During Phagotsava in Jaipur, women devotees throng temples for joyful raasleela of Krishna and the gopis in which some women dress like Krishna.

At Jaipur's most famous Krishna temple, the historic Govind Devji Mandir, these days every day Holi is being played with flowers as Phagotsava. It will continue until the Dhulandi day when Holi will be played with colours on March 27 on the streets of Jaipur.

Every day, during the Holi week, there are performers who play Holi with flowers artistically. In the temple, artistes dance to the traditional and Holi folk songs dressed up as Radhas and Krishnas and gopis.

At Govind Devji temple, it has been a tradition for almost 400 years now that people play Holi with Lord Krishna for seven days with thousands of devotees thronging the temple premises. Devotees find something very magical about flower petals being showered by one another and from above in the temple. Phaag, Raas and special Jhanki are the hallmarks of Holi festival at this temple which draws foreign tourists to Jaipur during Holi.

Elephant Festival is also organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Board on the eve of Dhulandi festival at the Polo Grounds in Jaipur, which is also a tourist attraction during Holi.