Widows celebrate ‘Holi’ in northern India

Record ID: 2359646

  • Title: Widows celebrate ‘Holi’ in northern India
  • Date: 2nd March 2026
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PARTICIPANT, (NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING: "It feels very good. This is a powerful response to the regressive social practices that once defined society. You can see that widowed mothers, dressed in white, have now adorned themselves with vibrant colours…some wearing them on their heads…others draping them over their shoulders. With flowers, with colours, w
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Holi India Mathura Vrindavan celebration colours cultural change empowerment festival social reform stigma tradition voxpox widows women voices
  • Location: MATHURA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
  • City: MATHURA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA002NXJMBTB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Widows in the town of Mathura in northern India's Uttar Pradesh marked the festival of Holi with colours, flowers and dance on Monday (March 2), challenging long-standing social stigmas traditionally associated with widowhood.
    Vrindavan and Mathura, regarded as the land of Hindu deity Krishna, are home to thousands of widows, many of whom were historically marginalised and excluded from mainstream religious and social celebrations.
    A woman participant said the celebration was a strong response to regressive social practices, explaining that widowed women, traditionally expected to wear plain white, were now embracing bright colours, flowers, and festivity with joy and enthusiasm.
    In recent years, community groups and temple authorities have encouraged their participation in festivals like Holi as part of broader efforts toward social inclusion and dignity.
    Celebrated at the onset of spring, Holi symbolises renewal and is associated with the eternal love of Krishna and Radha (Hindu Deities).
    Holi will be celebrated on March 4 this year.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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