Barsi village, located about 45 kilometers from Saharanpur city, remains in the news every year during Holi due to its unique and thousands of years old tradition. Holi is celebrated here with colors and gulal, but Holika Dahan is not done in the village.
According to the villagers, this tradition has been going on since the Mahabharata period. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself is believed to reside in the ancient Shiva temple situated at the western end of the village and if Holika Dahan is done in the village, then the feet of Bholenath get scorched by its fire. Due to this belief, the ritual of Holika Dahan is not performed in Barsi village till date.
In the village, the festival of Holi is celebrated with mutual brotherhood and in a traditional manner, but for Holika Dahan, the married daughters and women of the village go to the nearby village and worship.
Villagers say that the Shiva temple situated in Barsi village is considered to be the Siddhapeeth of the Mahabharata period, where the self-proclaimed Shivalinga has been established since ancient times. There are many folktales prevalent regarding this temple also. According to a belief, the temple was built by Kaurava son Duryodhana.
According to the story, when Pandava son Bhima saw in the morning that the temple was built by Kauravas, he hit the main gate of the temple with his mace and turned its face from east to west. For this reason this temple is considered a west facing Shiva temple.
Villagers believe that this change is not only related to architecture, but also to the protection and religious balance of the village. According to another folk belief, Lord Krishna also stayed in this village while going to Kurukshetra during the war and gave special religious importance to this place. With time, the name of the village got spoiled due to this belief.
Villagers say that despite the changing times, Barsi village is still firm on its traditions. Amidst the colors and joy of Holi, reverence for Lord Shiva is expressed here by not burning Holika.
This is the reason why the identity of Barsi village is still linked to the unique belief in which it is said that the fire of Holika Dahan burns the feet of Shiva, hence Holika is not burnt in this village.