A week of colour in Krishna's homeland, from flower Holi in the temples to Holi in Barsana.
The story
- Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil: the night before, the bonfire recalls how Holika burned in the fire meant to kill the young Prahlada, who came out unharmed.
- Braj, around Mathura and Vrindavan, is the land of Radha and Krishna, and its Holi plays out their stories.
- In Barsana and Nandgaon, Holi runs over two days: the men of one village visit the other, and the women chase them with bamboo sticks.
- Vrindavan has Phoolon ki Holi with flower petals, and Braj also keeps the Dauji ka .
What happens
- The week before
and flower Holi
Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon; flower Holi inside Vrindavan's temples.
Bonfire night
Bonfires are lit across every town and village.
- Rangwali Holi
The day of colour
, water and music everywhere, from morning to early afternoon.
- The day after
at Baldeo
A boisterous Holi at the Dauji temple near Mathura.
Best places to see it
What to eat
A deep-fried pastry filled with khoya, coconut and dry fruit: the Holi sweet.
Sweet shops across Mathura and Vrindavan.
Milk with almonds, fennel, pepper and rose. Some places add bhang (cannabis): ask for it without.
Drink stalls in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Mathura's milk peda, and bedai: a flaky fried bread with spicy potato curry.
Sweet and snack shops in Mathura.
Know before you go
- Wear old white clothes and oil your skin and hair beforehand.
- Keep your phone in a zip bag.
- Crowds can get rowdy; women are safer travelling in groups.
- Choose natural, skin-friendly colours.
Organised by
Community celebration
There's no single organiser. Local committees, temples and families make it happen, so welcome and etiquette matter more than tickets.