Breaking traditions: How Vrindavan’s widows celebrated Holi

Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

Updated on: Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM IST

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Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

A widow smeared in Gulal takes part in Holi celebrations at Gopinath temple. This time a number of Sanskrit students and Pundits took part in the Holi celebration with widows. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Widows rest after participating in Holi celebrations. In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Artists perform during this event making the widows feel a part of social assimilation. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Widows pray a during the Holi celebrations organized by an NGO at Gopinath temple. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Children throw petals and gulal at each other as widows celebrate HOli in Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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A widow smeared in Gulal takes part in Holi celebrations at Gopinath temple.The widows were highly excited as first time they played Holi inside any temple, marking their further social assimilation. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan. In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

An old woman sits on her chair amid Holi celebrations.It is for the first time Holi celebration was organised at an ancient Gopinath Temple of Lord Krishna in which around a thousand widows from Vrindavan and Varanasi splashed colour at each other. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan. In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan. In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

A widow smeared in Gulal takes part in Holi celebrations at Gopinath temple.The widows were highly excited as first time they played Holi inside any temple, marking their further social assimilation. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations at Vrindavan. It is for the first time Holi celebration was organised at an ancient Gopinath Temple of Lord Krishna in which around a thousand widows from Vrindavan and Varanasi splashed colour at each other. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

NGO workers celebrate Holi with Widows at Gopinath Temple. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2016 12:23 AM

Widows smeared in Gulal rest after taking part in Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization, Sulabh International at Gopinath temple at Vrindavan. In many parts of India widows are barred from celebrating the festival but women at the shelter for widows broke the bygone norm and enjoyed the festival. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)