Mathura/Vrindavan, March 6 (IANS) Holi was celebrated with lots of colour and fun in the Shri Krishna temples of Braj mandal.
More than a lakh pilgrims visited Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan and Dwarkadheesh temple in Mathura.
Holi was played with fervour in Gokul and Goverdhan.
Despite the early morning chill and the swine flu scare, locals joined the pilgrims in throwing colours and gulal. Song and dance programmes were organised in a number of places.
In Mathura, 'bhang' and 'thandai' were in great demand.
Mathura Police had made elaborate security arrangements and put up barriers at main crossings to regulate the traffic flow from Delhi and Agra.
Early on Friday, the much awaited walk-through fire was held at Falen village.
A panda, Sunil, went through the smouldering bonfire as shouts of joy and excitement, and chanting of mantras reached a crescendo late on Thursday night in Jatwari village.
In Falen village, another panda Heera Lal after the ritualistic bath and puja walked through fire early on Friday, as people waited with bated breath.
Before entering the fire, Heera Lal was on a "maun vrat" and performed a series of rituals to prepare himself for the ordeal watched by thousands of pilgrims who had assembled in Falen on Thursday itself.
On the full moon night Holi bonfires are lit all over Braj mandal and the celebrations begin early the next day.
For hundreds of years, pandas in Jatwari and Falen have been going through the fire ordeal enacting the mythological story of Prahlad who escaped unhurt while sitting in his aunt's (Holika) lap in a fire.
Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists assemble at the two villages to witness pandas walking on smouldering fire, according to Pavan Gautam, a social activist in the area.
Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has filed a case of fraud of Rs 16 crore against his f
Ratan Tata gave a very emotional speech at the inauguration of cancer hospitals in Assam. Startin
China made 'god of submarines', 48 nuclear missiles can cause havoc in the world
China has built a submarine larger than Russia's Typhoon class amidst ongoing tension from the US
Has the farmer protest come to an end? Many langar tents and tents begin to be removed from UP Gate
The agitation of the farmers, who have been protesting against the three new agricultural laws at
The world has not recognized the Taliban regime that seized power in Afghanistan about 16 months
One Plus's best battery phone launch, know what is the price
OnePlus 10R 5G On Amazon: Back to back new smartphones are being launched in the market. OnePlus
18-year-old D Gukesh needs no introduction now. He has etched his name in history by winning the
Government and private doctors of Uttarakhand will demand to arrest Baba Ramdev by tying black la
Modi to pay homage to Bhagat Singh, Martyrs
Chandigarh, March 22 (IANS) Marking his first visit to Punjab after assuming office, Prime Mini
The Indian team has entered the final of the Asia Cup 2025 after winning five consecutive matches
