Mathura (UP), March 4 The temple town of Mathura was filled with vibrant colors on Wednesday as devotees and locals celebrated Holi with traditional fervor.
Holi is being celebrated outside the temples, but not within the inner sanctum, Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, the priest of the Sri Bankey Bihari Temple, said.
The temple's Holi celebrations culminate on the day of Holika Dahan, he added.
A 'bhajan sandhya' (devotional singing) and flower Holi are scheduled for the evening at the Old Keshavdev Temple, its priest Biharilal Goswami said, adding that Holi is not celebrated inside the temple premises on that day.
At the Sri Garun Govind Temple, Holi festivities culminate a day before Rangbhari Ekadashi with the traditional 'Huranga', the priest Dr Rajesh Gautam said.
"Holi in Mathura is different from other places because here we relive one of the divine plays of Lord Krishna. For the last 30 days, major celebrations have been taking place in different parts of the city," said local businessman Harsh Chaturvedi.
People were seen dancing to loud music and smearing colors on each other since morning.
Deeksha Chaudhary, a professor and regular visitor, said, "Holi in Mathura is a unique experience. I feel close to Krishna."
In the village of Bachchgaon, 'Chappal Holi' is being celebrated, where elders playfully hit younger members of the family with slippers.
This 150-year-old tradition was started to oppose the atrocities of the British. They also spray colors and dance to Holi songs, said Gram Pradhan Manju Chaudhary.
Security has been tightened across the district on the occasion.
The entire district has been divided into nine zones and 40 sectors. Police teams have been deployed to maintain law and order, Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat said.
An integrated control room is functioning round-the-clock to respond to emergencies, he added.
