Widows play holi at Gopinath temple in Varanasi

VRINDAVAN: Widows from Vrindaban and Varanasi today participated in a holi programme at the premises of Gopinath temple in Varanasi.

Amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shells, the widows freely used vermilion powder in the festivities and played Holi with petals of rose and marigold.

The oldest participant was 105-year-old Kanak Lata who was brought to the temple in a wheelchair.

"I am thankful to organiSers who provided me an opportunity to witness Holi in front of the principal deity of Gopinath temple," she said.

"It is an effort to break the tradition of Hindu society where widows are not allowed to play Holi. Our effort is to replace it with a new arena in their life," social reformer and founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak said.