Barsana preparing for Holi

The ancient custom is rooted in the legend of Lord Krishna`s Holi-day tryst with his beloved Radha and her friends or `Gopis`, with girls playfully chasing away the young Krishna.

Since then, men from Krishna`s present-day village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi every year in the town, which has the only temple dedicated to Radha in India. Thus as the big day approaches, in preparation, the women of Barsana today reached Nandgaon and invited the men to play Holi.

The men of Nandgaon would be welcomed in Barsana near Peeli Pokhar, tomorrow before they play Lathamar Holi in Rangili Gali and accordingly, security has been beefed up in Barsana with sale of oranges, plum and guava banned and a heavy police presence.

Meanwhile, in Kanpur, the district administration has intensified its drive against fake `khoya`, a milk extract, and other fake food items circulating in the `mandis` and markets in the district.

On Wednesday, a team of officials seized 2,500kg of fake `khoya` (a milk product) and destroyed it. This is part of the effort, where officials have been conducting raids and checks at shops that sell fake khoya, paneer, sweets and milk products. Some samples of paneer have also been sent for lab-testing.