Brij: various meanings
Brij as a region:
Brij or Braj or Brajbhoomi is a region in 'Uttar Pradesh' province of India. Some of the regions included in Brij are Gokul, Goverdhan, Vrindavan.
The region Brij is closely related to the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Krishna is said to have spent his childhood and adolscence here and therefore, it has an important status in the Hindu mythology. Many international Hindu organisations such as ISKCON have set up their offices in Brij.
Brij as people:
The residents or natives of Brij region are called 'Brijwasi'.
Brij as a language:
Language(s) spoken: BrijBhasha or BrajBhasha, Hindi. BrijBhasha is closely related to spoken Hindi with a soft accent.
Brij as a name:
In many parts of India, Brij is the given name for males and often it is in conjuction with another name such as
Brij Lal, Brij Mohan, Brij Bhushan, Brij Inder , Brij Gopal etc. While Brijinder name is mostly used in Panjab (NW India),
it can be used by male and female alike.
Brij as festival:
Location: Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
Significance: Held in the honor of Lord Krishna.
Time of Celebration: Prior to the festival of Holi (according to the Hindu calendar), which usually falls in March.
Festival:
Marked by the vim and vigor of Holi, the festival of colors, the Brij Festival finds villagers full of zest and vitality.
They dress in brightly hued attires and sing songs and dance. The featured dance of the festival is the Raslila dance, where
the immortal love story of Radha and Krishna is enacted. During the festival, young and old, men and women, ring with the
boisterous folk melodies and splash colors on everybody. The gaiety is infectious enough to take a hold of everybody who is
there to witness the festivity.
The Brij Festival is organized in honor of Lord Krishna in the state of Rajasthan. Celebrated a few days before the festival of Holi, that is celebrated all over North India, the Brij Festival celebrates life and happiness and is marked by gaiety and fun
A grand celebration of the advent of spring, the Brij Festival succeeds in breaking across all barriers of class and wealth. In fact, you can see everyone enjoying and celebrating life without any inhibition. The whole of Bharatpur resounds with music and celebration during Brij and at many places you will be able to enjoy Raslila Dances depicting the immortal love story of Lord Krishna and Radha.
Since color plays a very important role in holi, the people of Bharatpur just leap at the opportunity of having a pre holi celebration. They go around smearing others with colors and music and dancing becomes the order of the day. If you want to witness this unique celebration of life, be sure to visit Bharatpur during the Brij Festival and have the time of your life. Do Travel to Bharatpur and be a part of the Brij Festival which will be from February 2- 4 2007.