Holi songs of Braj resonate in Kullu

People of the Bairagi community here, known as “Mahants”, are carrying out processions in the town singing Holi songs of Braj and visiting temples after the 40-day-long Holi festivities started here on Basant Panchami on February 2.

The tradition of singing Holi hymns is being carried out in the temples across the town and the atmosphere reverberates and remains devotional with Holi hymns.

The Bairagi community is following the 350-year-old tradition very well even in the present times. During the evenings, people of the Bairagi community sing Holi songs and play with “gulal” in streets and various temples across the town. Lord Ram is being hailed with Holi songs of Braj. Eight days before Holi known as ‘Holashtak’, people of the Bairagi community start singing Holi songs in other temples of the district like Guru Peyhari Baba in Jhiri, Radha Krishna Temple in Thawa and Jagati Patt in Naggar as well.

Vinod Mahant of the Bairagi community said Holi is celebrated in a different way here. He said, “Holi here begins 40 days ahead of the actual festival to be held on March 14. People of the Bairagi community sing Holi songs in temples, including the temple of the chief deity Lord Raghunath.”

The tradition of these songs will continue till Holi and people of Bairagi community in Kullu cherish the traditional Holi songs. Despite modern influences, the Bairagi community remains committed to their tradition. Even though DJs have become popular during Holi, the community continues to sing the traditional Holi songs of Braj, accompanied by the beats of “dafli” and “jhanj manjira”. The devotional atmosphere is amplified by songs like “ban ko chale dono bhai”, “shivon sang bhole naathon ke sang horee apna khelan jaoo”, “main na ladee shyaam nikhas gayo”, “main kaise horee kheloon saanvariyaan jee ke sang rang mein.”

Elderly said they were inspiring the young generation with their culture. They said the tradition was being followed by the people of Bairagi community in Kullu for more than 350 years and it was followed here on the lines of Ayodhya. The idol of Lord Raghunath was brought in Kullu from Ayodhya in the mid-17th century and since that time, people of Bairagi community, who came here along with the idol, have been following this tradition, they added.