Gone are the days when celebrations were about cherishing moments with loved ones. Today, it seems everything is done for the sake of social validation. Whether it's birthdays, weddings or festivals like Holi or Diwali, or even the simplest moments from daily lives are often curated for content that will garner likes and followers on social media platforms.
Why am I talking about this, you ask? Have I not tried hopping on these trends? Or have I not dreamt of living the same Instagram-worthy life that social media has painted for me? Hell, yes! I've jumped into countless trends, whether it's exploring nearby places, attempting viral recipes, or even ordering the viral stuff. And just recently, my Instagram feed was flooded with posts about people longing to celebrate Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.
My Experience Of Holi Celebration Differed From That Glorified On Instagram
For those unaware, Vrindavan, a historical city with religious significance for Hindus, is believed to be where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. The city boasts around 5,500 temples dedicated to the worship of Krishna and his consort Radha, including the renowned Banke Bihari Temple and Radha's birthplace in Barsana.
The trend of participating in the grand Holi festivities in Vrindavan was captivating and my social media was abuzz with tips on how to reach the city, where to stay, and the best times to visit temples. Even though I am not an influencer, it seemed like a dream opportunity to witness the grand Holi celebration. You can only imagine the sheer excitement this opportunity would bring for influencers or for someone with a substantial following to capture picturesque moments of Holi celebrations for their feed!
However, upon reaching Vrindavan, the reality was starkly different from the curated images on social media. As my friend and I attempted to enter the lane towards the temple, we found ourselves engulfed in a sea of people, struggling to breathe amidst the crush of bodies. The streets were overflowing with people, each trying to push their way through the crowded lanes to reach the temples. The chaos and suffocating crowds made it challenging to even move, let alone enjoy the festivities.
I confided in my friend, expressing my inability to endure another second in the chaotic crowd. Thankfully, he agreed, and we hastily made our way back. We decided to venture to another temple in hopes of finding fewer crowds, but along the way, we were warned against going to Barsana as it was deemed unsafe. When we inquired why, everyone echoed the same sentiment: "It's all because it's the season; it's Holi."
How Social Media Has Impacted Spiritual Celebrations
Isn't it odd because as a North Indian, I've known this place since childhood, it's one of the oldest holy sites in India, and the Holi festivities have been celebrated here for generations. Yet, amidst the chaos, we couldn't help but question the authenticity of it all.
It was like a suffocating nightmare, but we still witnessed people relentlessly snapping photos and recording videos on their phones. We also overheard a security guard remark, "These people would have never shown this much respect for their parents. They would never have taken photos like this. The world knows it's all just for Instagram." My friend and I exchanged knowing glances, nodding in silent agreement.
The experience left me questioning the authenticity of our intentions. Were we truly seeking spiritual enlightenment, or were we merely chasing after social media validation? It was a sobering reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself amidst the lure of virtual validation.
In the end, my heart went out to those who had come to seek blessings or simply enjoy the festivities of the place, only to be greatly impacted by the presence of people solely focused on capturing content. As we left Vrindavan behind, we couldn't help but wonder if our obsession with digital validation has overshadowed the true spirit of celebration.
Views expressed are the author's own.
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