When spring arrives in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, Holi isn’t confined to just one vibrant day of splashes and laughter- it unfolds as a divine, joyous journey that blends sacred rituals, age-old traditions, folk music and deep devotion in a way unlike anywhere else in India.
In Nathdwara, Holi is celebrated differently at the Shrinathji Temple, the heart of the town and one of the most revered centers of the Pushti Marg sect. Here, Holi is not merely about revelry; it’s about sharing the eternal play of Lord Krishna with his devotees.
Unlike the usual one-day festival, the celebrations here begin weeks before Holi, often as early as Basant Panchami, marking the onset of spring. For about 40 days, priests and devotees gradually adorn Lord Shrinathji’s pristine white attire with streaks and patterns of abir, gulal and kesudo- traditional powders of white, pink and orange, until by the time the grand festival arrives, the deity is a tapestry of vivid hues. This slow, artistic colouring symbolizes the joyful anticipation of Krishna’s legendary playful colours.
A local resident, Aishwarya Bhatia, perfectly captures the spirit of the festival: “Holi Celebration in Nathdwara isn’t just one day — it’s like a long, divine play that unfolds for weeks. Each day a little more colour is added, and with it, a little more joy. It feels personal, playful, and deeply divine at the same time.”
The Holi rituals themselves, especially Dhuleti and Dolotsav, are elegant spectacles where the idol is showered with colour during sacred darshans, amid devotional songs like rasiyas, rhythmic music and prayers. Here, devotees don’t just throw colours at each other; they receive them as blessings from the Lord himself.
Beyond the temple walls, the entire town resonates with spirited gatherings, folk performances, and traditional feasts featuring festive favourites like thandai and gujiya. Yet even in the lively street celebrations, where the air becomes a dance of colours, reverence for Krishna’s divine play remains at the core.
What sets Nathdwara’s Holi apart from celebrations elsewhere- be it in bustling cities or the playful Holi of Braj regions- is its beautiful harmony of devotion with festivity. Here, colour isn’t just playful chaos, it’s a living, breathing expression of love for the divine, woven into every smile, song and sprinkle of gulal.
(The writer of this article is Kanan Rathore)