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Prabir Mitra

Magenta, yellow, crimson, blue — the vibrant colours of Holi are recognisable the world over, but this time-honoured Hindu festival of colour has its roots firmly in the subcontinent. In the cities of Vrindavan, Nandgaon, Barsana and Mathura, in the Braj region of India’s Uttar Pradesh, some of the most spectacular celebrations take place, as photographer Prabir Mitra showcased in National Geographic Traveller’s Sept/Oct 2020 issue photo story. Read the article.

The festivities can be intense and tiring, but local revellers are always willing to welcome a stranger for a meal or even a nap.

In Holi, ancient traditions are celebrated in a modern way. Mobile phones — ubiquitous symbols of the modern world — are brandished by a crowd wearing traditional clothing.

During Holi, traditional musicians from Barsana come to Sriji Temple, Nandgaon, to participate in a musical competition involving singers, drummers and wind instrumentalists.

In contrast to the frenetic crowds in the Sriji Temple courtyard, there’s a certain elegance to be found among the temple’s traditional dancers, seen here apart from the fray on the temple rooftop.

People sing, dance and shout, ‘Bura na mano, Holi hain!’, which means ‘Please do not mind, it’s Holi!’ as they douse each other with coloured water and gulal.

Most photographers position themselves on the roof of the Sriji Temple, in Nandgaon, while others get their hands dirty by mingling with the revellers in the temple courtyard.

At the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindaban, revellers are showered in coloured powder and petals as part of the Phoolo Ki Holi festivities. It’s a true feast for the ears, too, as the sounds of song and laughter ring out through the sacred Hindu temple.

‘Phoolon Ki Holi’ (the ‘Holi of Flowers’) holds a different charm and is a particular attraction at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, where hundreds of kilos of flower petals of various colours are showered as part of this celebration.

Holi is a great leveller: people of all ages come together to forgive and forget, and to celebrate the arrival of spring.