Holi Experience in its Birth Place Mathura

Day 1

Mathura

Voila, it's Holi!

I’m from the southernmost part of India where we don’t celebrate or play Holi. I haven’t played Holi in my entire life and in 2019, somehow, I got fascinated by the Holi festival and jubilation. It is not only that I haven’t partook in Holi celebrations, it is also that I haven’t even seen a celebration in person nor did I happen to hear Holi celebration planning in my city, let alone receiving an invitation. Holi is that uncommon thing in Tamil Nadu (of course the things are changing). So I searched where and when to celebrate in India. I was surprised to see the number of places where it is celebrated grandly and even more surprised to see the number of days /events it is being celebrated.

Holi days & Events in 2019

Event 1 : Lathmar Holi on 15-Mar and 16-Mar at Barsana & Nandagoan respectively

Event 2 : Phoolon Wali Holi on 17-Mar at Vrindavan

Event 3 : Widow’s Holi on 18-Mar at Vrindavan

Event 4 : Holi Eve on 20-Mar at Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan (Morning)

Event 5 : Holi Procession on 20-Mar at Vishram Ghat, Mathura (Noon) & Holika Dahan at Holi Gate, Mathura (Evening)

Event 6 : Holi day on 21-Mar at Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura

Event 7 : Huranga (Curtain day) on 22-Mar at Dauji Temple

My Trip

Photo of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India by Siva Ilankumaran

Travel :

Chennai --> Delhi on 20-Mar in Air

Delhi --> Agra on 20-Mar in Train

Agra --> Mathura on 21-Mar in Cab

I booked Ola cab in advance, but finding can in Agra is an issue.

Stay :

I stayed in Zostel Agra. There are lot of hotels in Mathura as well. Staying in Mathura would give you additional benefit of going to temples & celebration multiple times.

But even in Agra, Holi is played in hotels & other places so one can easily continue Holi celebration in Agra, if needed.

Common Doubts

Is the gathering safe ? Mostly yes, but would recommend woman to be careful.

Availability of restaurants ? Tea, Bang & sweet stalls are open in Temple surroundings & hotels are open in main roads.

Where to park a car ? You can park cars in the main road. Walk down through the margs celebrating to the fullest.

Bike or Car ? Both are ok, park both in the main road and walk down. Bikes can go into the margs but helmet is must otherwise people throw powders right into your eyes.

Can color powders be bought near the temples? Yes, but got to walk around margs to come across the open shop.

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Read the Original Story of complete experience (both good and bad) in my blog and checkout more pictures in my Insta