Mathura (UP), March 4 The temple town of Mathura was awash in color on Wednesday as devotees and locals celebrated Holi with traditional fervor.
Holi is being celebrated outside the temples, but not within the sanctum sanctorum, said Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, the priest of the Sri Bankey Bihari Temple.
The temple's Holi celebrations culminate on the day of Holika Dahan, he added.
A 'bhajan sandhya' (devotional evening) and flower Holi are scheduled for the evening at the Old Keshavdev Temple, said its priest Biharilal Goswami, 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', said its priest Dr. Rajesh Gautam.
"Holi in Mathura is different from other places because here we relive one of Lord Krishna's playful moments," said local businessman Harsh Chaturvedi. "For the last 30 days, major celebrations have been taking place in different parts of the city."
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 makes me feel delighted. I feel close to Krishna."
Security has been tightened across the city on the occasion.
The entire district has been divided into nine zones and 40 sectors. Police mobiles and seven strike teams have been deployed to maintain law and order, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat.
An integrated control room is functioning round-the-clock to respond to emergencies, he added.