Ritika
Temple of Keshavrai Maharaj at Ladpur
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
Where the whole country will be drenched in the colors of Holi on March 8, on the day of Dhuledi, people will stay away from colors on the day of Dhuledi in village Ladpur, ten km away from Hathras city. Holi is not played here on the day of Holi, but Holi is played the next day. Legend has it that a woman committed sati on the day of Holi in Ladpur. The woman had cursed that Holi would not be played here on the day of Dhuledi. Since then people still follow this custom.
The elders of the village say that Chaudhary Achal Singh was the owner of the village property in Ladpur town. He had two sons Lakhan Singh and Vijaypal Singh. Vijaypal had gone for a walk. The snake bit him. His wife decided to commit sati along with her husband. The villagers and in-laws protested and prevented them from doing so. On the day of Holi festival, the woman pleaded with her relatives and other villagers to commit sati. Along with her in-laws and villagers, the woman did parikrama in the village.
After that the woman was taken to the place where the husband was buried. After that the woman sat on the tomb and said some things. After that she did seven parikramas of her husband’s tomb. When he rubbed his hands, sparks started coming out of them. After this the woman became Sati. Since then, a fair of Kanshavrai Ji Maharaj is held at this place on the day of Dhuledi. Sati Mela is held on Dauj. There the villagers get their children shaved.
After this Holi will be played till Panchami
Holi starts in village Ladpur from the next day of Dhuledi. Which lasts till Panchami. Jaggery balls are hung here. His women take care of him. The men try to take away that jug of jaggery. During this, Lathmar Holi is played.
A woman had committed sati in the village a long time ago. From that time Holi is not played here on the day of Dhuledi. Holi is played on the next day of Dhuledi. People are following this custom. – Dr. Bengali Singh, former MP
Holi is not played in our village because of the woman being sati. There is a fair of Sati Maiya. The special thing is that Holi happens after Dhuledi. Which is played till Panchami. – Jagdish Prasad Rural
The tradition of not playing Holi is there since a long time. A procession of Keshavdev Ji Maharaj comes out on Holi. People play Holi on the next day of Dhuledi. The festival which continues till Panchami. – Fateh Singh Rural
Holi is not played on the day of Dhuledi in Ladpur of Hathras, which is called Dehri of Braj. Lathmar Holi is celebrated after Dhuledi. A fair is also organized in the memory of Sati. – Ratan Singh, Rural
