UP village where Holika Dahan is absent for centuries

Saharanpur

In Barsi, a village on Uttar Pradesh’s western border, Holika Dahan has never been performed, a tradition upheld for centuries. Villagers believe Lord Shiva resides in their ancient temple and roams within the village. They fear that lighting the Holika fire might harm the deity by heating the ground.

Located 50 km from Saharanpur, Barsi is home to a Mahabharata-era Shiva temple, said to have been built overnight by Duryodhana. Legend states that Bheema, upon seeing it, struck the entrance with his mace, turning it westward, making it the only Shiva temple in India facing west. The temple’s naturally manifested (Swayambhu) Shivling attracts thousands of devotees, especially during Mahashivratri.

Villagers believe that Lord Krishna passed through Barsi on his way to Kurukshetra and was so mesmerized by its beauty that he compared it to Brij. Since then, the village has been known as Barsi.

To preserve their sacred tradition, villagers travel to nearby areas for Holika Dahan but celebrate Holi in their village with devotion. Our ancestors renounced this practice out of reverence for Lord Shiva, and we will continue this tradition, says village head Aadesh Kumar. Despite its small population of 1,700, Barsi’s temple draws devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.

Our faith in Lord Shiva is unshakable, says temple priest Narendra Giri. This tradition will remain unbroken for generations to come.