Summary
Highlights
Widows in India, numbering around 40 million, are often ostracized and live in poverty, isolated from society. According to an ancient Hindu custom, they wear white, the color of death, and are forbidden from celebrating festivals or experiencing joy. Vrindavan, known as the city of widows, is a place where many come to dedicate their lives to Krishna after losing their husbands, as they have nowhere else to go.
Widows are often blamed for their husband's death and are cast out by their families. They face strict rules from orthodox Hinduism, including eating bland food, fasting, and being forced to shave their heads and wear no jewelry or makeup. Many live in ashrams, like the Macharda ashram in Vrindavan, where they spend their days praying to Krishna and Radha. Most are uneducated and rely on these ashrams for shelter and basic needs.
In 2012, Sulabh International, an NGO founded by Bindeshwar Pathak, began a program for widows following a Supreme Court ruling acknowledging their inhumane treatment. The organization provides free lodging in ashrams in Vrindavan and Varanasi for about 800 women, aiming to fight their exclusion and restore their dignity. Pathak's son, Kumar Dilip, continues his father's work, striving to eliminate these discriminatory traditions within the next decade or two.
Hima, a 30-year-old widow for 16 years, found peace in Vrindavan after a life of immense suffering and poverty. She recounts her inability to protest against her family's treatment due to her lack of education. Mouni, 60, was forced to Vrindavan after her son abandoned her and seized her property. Manu Ghosh, appearing to be nearly 100, arrived in Vrindavan 40 years ago and endured a long period of mental distress after her husband's death, highlighting the severe emotional toll of widowhood.
The tradition of widows being excluded from festivals like Holi is being challenged. Vinita Varma, Vice-President of Sulabh International and a widow herself, emphasizes that the Vedas do not impose such restrictions; these are man-made conventions. The organization aims to allow widows to celebrate Holi, symbolizing a step towards their societal reintegration and a reclaiming of their joy and dignity. Vinita, who was widowed at 29, works to protect the rights of women and believes in fighting for their dignity beyond just basic needs.
The Gopinath Temple, one of Vrindavan's oldest, plays a crucial role in empowering widows. The head priest, Laldev Goswami, is progressive and allows widows to participate in temple activities and even remarry, challenging societal norms. He believes that true connection is with God, not just earthly ties, and that in Vrindavan, the love for Krishna is the ultimate possession. This progressive stance supports Sulabh International's efforts to bring widows into the Holi celebrations.
Widows like Chavi and Mouni eagerly prepare for Holi by mixing natural pigments provided by Sulabh International. This is Mouni's first Holi celebration with colors since her husband's death 20 years ago, highlighting the significance of the event for these women. Hima, however, is unable to participate in the preparations due to her employment at another temple, where she earns a meager 15€ per month chanting, a stark reminder of their financial struggles. Despite this, the energy and anticipation for the festival are palpable.
The long-awaited Holi celebration begins at the Gopinath Temple, with Mouni excitedly preparing in her new sari. Over a thousand widows celebrate together, a historically unprecedented event. The festival in this sacred temple courtyard allows them to enjoy the festivities safely, away from the potentially dangerous and chaotic street celebrations. The event garners significant media attention, symbolizing a powerful statement for the social reintegration of widows and an inspiring step towards equality and dignity, making Vrindavan the only place in India where widows are currently allowed to celebrate Holi.