The festival is essentially a celebration of Lord Krishna’s message of eternal love and is reflected by the participation of people from various caste and creed. It signifies harmony and warmth among the people. In the morning, people gather to offer prayers at the Radha Rani temple there, after a taking a dip in the holy waters of Banganga river. It is believed that a dip in the river purifies one’s soul. In a nutshell, the Brij festival is a reflection of the cultural heritage of the region and a part of their festivities.
Place of Origin
The state of Bharatpur was founded in the year 1733 by Maharaja SurajMal. The then capital of the Jats was a fortified city ruled by Maharajas of Sinsinwar dynasty. Fairs and festivals are a characteristic to the region among which Braj is a very popular one celebrated with much zeal & pomp.
When it is celebrated
The Festival of Brij, also known as Braj Mahotsava, is celebrated every year for three consecutive days in Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalgun as per calendar of Hindus. The Braj festival is devoted to Lord Krishna, who is said to have resided in Brij during his childhood. The festival of Brij is observed every year before Holi.
In 2015, it will be celebrated from 2nd February to 4th February.
The celebrations
The celebration at Brij during the festival is a sight to behold. People come out in colorful dresses, singing songs, dancing eating and merry making in general. One particular famous dance is the Rashlila Dance which tells the eternal love story of Lord Krishna and Radha. The various performers in the dance portray Krishna Radha and their various associates. Another famous aspect of the Braj festival is the color splashing on each other. Tourists visit in huge numbers during this period and also become a part of the celebrations. The festival is also a testimony to the message of love propagated by Lord Krishna.