Jhulan Yatra: the monsoon swing festival of the deity

In the monsoon month of Shravan, Braj holds the Jhulan festival. Radha and Krishna are seated on a decorated swing and rocked, and devotees pull the rope while singing. It usually runs for several days and ends on Shravan Purnima.

The temples of Vrindavan dress for the rains at this time: green or deep-coloured clothes, swings of flowers and leaves, and in some places a cloud-and-rain theme. How it is done differs from temple to temple.

At home

Buy or make a small swing. Seat the deity, rock it gently, decorate with flowers and offer something sweet or fruit. Children enjoy being called to join.