Thousand years of history, mythological legends, stories of goodness prevailing over the evil and that 6-year-old neighbour kid wildly throwing water balloons at you – if this is your idea of Holi, we dare you to be a part of the crazy Holi celebrations of Barsana, Vrindavan, and Braj in Mathura.
It is on the ghats of Mathura – the birthplace of Krishna where Holi is celebrated in the wildest, yet colorful and sane revelry.
It is in the suburbs of Mathura that the love life of Krishna and Radha sprouted and grew. Legends say that Krishna was jealous of her fairness and used to complain about his ‘dusky’ face to his mother. It was only to balance the skin tones of each other that he used to throw colors at Radha and paint her face with multiple colors. From his village Nandgaon, Krishna and his friends used to come to Barsana – Radha’s village to color Radha and her friends. The girls used to beat the guys, playfully though, with sticks.
Like every other Radha-Krishna Leela, this also became a tradition and has only evolved to be a more colorful and wild lathmar Holi. Also, Mathura ki Holi celebrations start a week in advance and continue till the final day of the celebrations.
Apparently, the entire city is full of Holi excitement. However, for ‘the original Mathura Holi 2020’ you must land up in Barsana and then visit Nandgaon, Braj, & Vrindavan. Spend a day in Barsana and get a feel of the platonic flirtations of Radha Krishna. Folks from Nandgaon come with colors to Barsana and paint the women here. The women too reciprocate and try to defend themselves by playfully beating these folks. Visit Nandgaon the next day as women from Nandgaon visit Barsana with colors. Vrindavan Holi and Braj host Holi in the temple premises where the priests shower blessed holy water(of course colored) on the revelers. Holi in Vrindavan turns the entire city into a riot of colors that is a must see.
• Lathmar Holi in Barasana
• Lathmar Holi in NandGaon
• Range Bharni Ekadashi – Lathmar Holi in Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura; Colorful Holi celebration in Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
• Widow’s Holi – Lathmar at Pagal Baba Widow Ashram in Vrindavan that is a strong step against the traditional convention that widows in India are not allowed to wear colorful clothes or play with colors
• Holika Dahan in entire Brijmandal; priests crossing holi fire in Phalen Village, Kosi, Mathura
• Dhulandi Holi – colored water holi in Brijmandal, color Holi celebrations in Mathura Vrindavan temples
• Huranga – famous Huranga Holi celebration in Dauji temple, Baldeo, Mathura
• Rang Panchami – end of Holi celebrations in Braj mandal temples
So, basically, there are five major events to attend that are associated with the Holi festival in Mathura, Holi in Vrindavan, & nearby regions – the lathmar Holi at Barsana, lathmar Holi at Nandgaon, Holika Dahan in Kosi, and colorful Holi at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Baldeo. So plan your trip accordingly. Besides, some local tour and sightseeing in Mathura – the land of Krishna – & adjoining villages would always be exciting. Stroll through the rustic urban villages, sip a glass or two of thandai (read Bhang – made from cannabis leaves mixed with flavored milk) and dance to the tunes of soulful bhajans.
