According to the Hindu belief, Krishna was a reincarnation of lord Vishnu himself. It was Krishna, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who popularised the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna. It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan. Situated in north India, these are the places where he spent his childhood. It is said that once Krishna asked his mother Yashoda why he was so dark complexioned while Radha was so fair complexioned. She laughed and told him that he could put color on Radha and make her dark too. Krishna promptly threw colored powder and colored water at Radha. This is how the custom of throwing colored water and powder started. It was at this time of year, Krishna used to play pranks by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that they could not stay angry for long. It did not take long for the other boys to join in, making it a popular sport in the village. Later, as Krishna grew up, the play assumed a new dimension. It added more colors to Krishna's legendary love life. The legend of Krishna's courtship with Radha, and playing pranks with the Gopis. The girls in the dairy village of Gokul were mostly milkmaids, and, hence locally known as the Gopis. The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found.

But the most famous Holi has to be that of Barsana, (a small town in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh) the house of adolescent Krishna's love, Radha. Romance is not quite what comes to mind when you see men from Nandgaon (Krishna's home) being beaten up with sticks from Radha's village, after they have been provoked by the colorful language.

Celebrations start a week earlier than the rest of India. Men of Nandagaon raid Barsana with hopes of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji's temple. They receive a thunderous welcome as the village women greet them with long wooden sticks. The men are soundly beaten as they attempt to rush through the town and reach the relative safety of Shri Radhikaji's temple. Men are well padded with foam, since they are not allowed to retaliate. In this mock battle, the men try their best not to be captured. Unlucky captives can be forcefully lead away, thrashed and dressed in female attire before being made to dance!

Poets like Surdas, Nand-das, Kumbhan-das and others have recounted tales of Krishna being captured and forced to wear a sari, make-up and then dance before being released by the Gopis of Braj.

The next day, men of Barsana reciprocate by invading Nandagaon. Clouds of pink and white powder mark the frenzy of activity taking place in its narrow streets. The women of Nandagaon beat the invaders from Barsana. There are even vantage points for tourists who choose to look on. A large open ground, on the outskirts of the town, is specially set aside for the most magnificent display of the festivities.

The next day, the temples in Vrindavan (close to Mathura) celebrate the festival. The temple of Bakai-Bihari, the beloved lord of the 15th century saint Haridas, is at the center of the festivities. Clouds of pink and white descend upon the pilgrims, as the Lord of Vrindavan plays Holi with all his visitors.

The festival moves on to other parts of Braj. Gulal-Kund in Braj is a beautiful little lake, set in delightful groves near the mountain Goverdhan, in the Mathura district. Here, the festival is commemorated on a more regular basis. Pilgrims, who visit the Holy Land of Braj, can see the re-enactments of Holi throughout the year. Local boys, acting in the Krishna-Lila drama troupes, re-enact the scenes of Holi for the pilgrims.

The next day onwards it's business as usual. One returns to the business of living with fun to last a year.