Mathura & Vrindavan Holi 2025: Dates, Top Celebrations & Travel Guide
Thousand years of history, mythological legends, stories of goodness prevailing over evil, playful traditions, and that 6-year-old neighbour kid wildly throwing water balloons at you—if this is your idea of Holi, we dare you to attend the crazy Holi celebrations of Barsana, Vrindavan, and Braj in Mathura. With sticks, shields, colours, and canons of water, the Holi celebration here can seem outright bizarre. If you are game for an epic Holi this year, we are answering all your questions about Holi in Mathura, starting with the what, where, when, why, and how.
Mathura Holi 2025 Dates
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The Festival of Colours is celebrated across India on the last full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna. The story of Holika Dahan, a myth about the triumph of righteousness over sin, is associated with this day. Villagers and townspeople come together to burn an effigy of Holika, a symbol of evil, on Holika Dahan. The next day is dedicated to making merry, eating sweets, decorating houses, and playing with gulal.
According to the Gregorian Calendar, the date for Holi will fall on the 14th of March (Friday), and Holika Dahan will be celebrated on the 13th. The dates are followed by a weekend, which means you have all the time in the world to celebrate Holi with your friends, family, and relatives. Preparations for Holi in Mathura start a week before the festival, so you’re bound to have a grand old time.
Also Read: Places To Celebrate Holi In India
Holi Events Schedule In Mathura & Vrindavan
| Date & Day | Event | Description |
| 7th March – Friday | Barsana Laddu Holi | Sriji Temple Barsana |
| 8th March – Saturday | Barsana Lathmar Holi | Main Holi event in Barsana |
| 9th March – Sunday | Nandgaon Holi | Lathmar Holi in Nand Bhawan |
| 10th March – Monday | Vrindavan Holi | Phoolwali Holi at Bankey Bihari Temple |
| 10th March – Monday | Vrindavan Holi | Rangbhari Ekadashi Holi in Vrindavan |
| 10th March – Monday | Mathura Holi | Special Events at the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple and all over Mathura |
| 11th March – Tuesday | Gokul Holi | Gokul Holi and Raman Reti Visit |
| 13th March – Thursday | Holika Dahan | Dwarkadhish Temple Dola and Mathura Vishram Ghat, Banke Bihari Vrindavan |
| 14th March – Friday | Abir Gulal and Water Holi in Brij | Dhulandi Gulal Holi all over Mathura |
Key Events and Highlights
These ecstatic and sometimes unusual and bizarre traditions around Holi in Mathura are exactly what makes it so unique and fun to experience. Let’s take a deep dive into the different key Holi events in Mathura.
1. Barsana Lathmar Holi
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Krishna and Radha’s love life sprouted and blossomed in the villages of Mathura. Shri Radha was born and lived in Barsana during childhood and teenage years. From his village, Nandgaon, Krishna and his friends used to come to Barsana to colour Radha and her friends with gulal. The girls would try to chase and beat the guys playfully with sticks. This is where the tradition of Barsana’s Lathmar Holi comes from.
While playing Holi, men from Nandgaon come down to Barsana to tease and colour women. The women fain offence and pretend to be angry with them. They take up sticks and playfully beat the men with them. This unique tradition makes Holi in Mathura a great delight, and tourists visit from places far and wide to witness this farcical tradition.
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2. Barsana Laddu Holi
There couldn’t be a Holi sweeter than this! It’s incredible how one festival is celebrated with so many different customs and traditions in various places. In Shriji Temple in Barsana, dedicated to Shri Radha Rani, Holi is celebrated with Laddus. A large number of devotees gather at the temple, and amid song, dance, and colour, Laddus are showered upon them. Everyone has great fun, and everyone has the sweets. Flowers are then showered upon the idols of Krishna and Radha, and this concludes the Laddu Maar Holi in Barsana.
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3. Nandgaon Holi
After Lathmar in Barsana, the next day, villagers from Barsana go to Nandgaon, and the same tradition of Lath maar Holi is repeated again. Barsana folks get their sweet revenge on the residents of Nandgaon. Barsana boys soak the womenfolk of Nandgaon in coloured water, and the women run after the men, chasing with bamboo sticks, chapati rolling pins, and whatnot. This duel takes the form of a grand celebration at Nand Bhawan and Nandji Temple. Barsana and Nandgaon are some of the best places to celebrate Holi in Mathura.
Related Post: Temples In Mathura
4. Phoolwali Holi In Vrindavan
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A unique tradition that advocates for a sustainable and chemical-free Holi is the Phoolon ki Holi in Vrindavan. This Holi will be held at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, and a large crowd is expected to gather. Holi is played here with flowers and natural dyes made from flowers. No chemical colours are used. A priest representing Lord Krishna stands at the front and throws flowers at the devotees, as Krishna used to do to tease the townspeople.
5. Rangbhari Ekadashi Holi In Vrindavan
In many places across India, Rangbhari Ekadashi is considered the beginning of the festival of Holi. In Hindu folklore, this day holds an important significance. After getting married on Mahashivratri, Lord Shiv brought Parvati back to her hometown of Kashi after two weeks. They celebrated the day by applying gulal to each other’s faces. The next day, Shiva is believed to celebrate Holi with his ghosts, spirits, and Ganas, who live on the cremation ground. Kashi and Mathura are the best places to celebrate Ekadashi Holi. At the Dwarkadeesh Temple, devotees smear each other with colours and sing bhajans, making it a spiritual and vibrant event.
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6. Mathura Holi
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A few days before Holi, a grand celebration starts at the Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex in Mathura. This is believed to be the same place where Krishna was born to Devaki Ma in a jail cell. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple starting on the Ekadashi, offer prayers to Lord Krishna, and play Holi with each other. The air is cacophonous with the music of bhajans, chants and hymns, excited shouts, and lots and lots of gulal.
7. Holika Dahan
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According to Hindu scriptures, Holika Dahan commemorates the burning of the demoness Holika. This story symbolises the defeat of good over evil, and it is remembered by lighting a bonfire comprised of sticks, dried leaves, cow dung cakes, sesame seeds, and wheat grains. The bonfire cleanses one of sins and negativity. Holika Dahan is an integral part of Holi in Mathura and the rest of the Braj region. It also marks the beginning of spring, signifying renewal and regeneration. This sombre celebration sets the stage for a full-blown madness of colours on the next day of Dhulandi.
Related Post: Holika Dahan
8. Abir Gulal Holi
All the rituals and festivities culminate in a big splash of colour on the D-day of Holi. Dhulandi is the day for colour play. Girls and boys make rangolis together. Families visit their neighbours and relatives and exchange sweets and blessings. The town squares are packed with people dancing to Bollywood Holi hit songs like Rang Barse and Balam Pichkari. Everyone is busy throwing Abir-Gulal at one another and helping themselves to chilled glasses of Lassi and Thandai. The town of Mathura and all of Braj echo with excited shouts and songs.
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Why Is Mathura The Best Place To Celebrate Holi?
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Mathura Holi is undoubtedly an experience for a lifetime. The festival exemplifies the love life of Krishna and Radha. Legends say that Krishna was jealous of her fairness and used to complain to his mother about his ‘dusky’ face. To balance their skin tones, he used to throw colours at Radha and paint her face with multiple colours. Like every other Radha-Krishna Leela, this also became a tradition, and it has only evolved into a more colourful and wild lath mar Holi.
Mathura ki Holi celebrations start a week in advance and continue until the final day. Other kinds of Holi celebrations in Mathura include Huranga Holi, celebrated in Dauji Temple in Baldeo, on the outskirts of Mathura, where women tear off men’s clothes and beat them with the scraps. Widow’s Holi, celebrated in Pagal Baba Widow’s Ashram, is a strong step against the traditional Indian conventions that dictate that widows cannot wear colourful clothes or play with colours. Where else will you see so many different shades of Holi but in Mathura?
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Tip For Travellers For Holi In Mathura
Follow these helpful tips to celebrate a fun, safe, and wholesome Holi in Mathura –
- Apply coconut oil or a good moisturiser all over to prevent colours from sticking to your skin.
- Either cover your hair or oil it to prevent dryness and itchiness.
- Go with comfortable, light clothing.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and only after eating a hearty breakfast should you head out to play Holi in Mathura.
- Use herbal and organic colours and avoid synthetic colours.
- Avoid carrying expensive gadgets while playing Holi. Instead, bring a waterproof pouch to keep your phone safe and your cash dry.
- Holi celebrations can often get crowded and overzealous. Move to a less congested area if you are uncomfortable.
- Take consent before applying colour to strangers. Travel in groups to avoid unsavoury experiences.
- Celebrations often include Bhang and alcohol. Know your limit with both, and avoid overindulging.
- Book your hotel or camping stay early, as accommodations can fill up fast. Rooms can be rented for as low as INR 500 per day, while hotels are available from INR 1500 onwards.
- Food also becomes a major highlight for Holi celebrations in Mathura. Try bedai With aloo sabzi, pani poori, jalebis, imartis, lal pedas, aaloo tikki, kachori, ghewar, gulab jamuns, lassi and more!
How To Reach Mathura?
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By Air: Mathura doesn’t have a designated airport. The nearest airport is Agra International Airport, approximately 47 kilometres away. One can also fly to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, about 136 kilometres away.
By Road: Mathura is well-connected by bus. Travelling from Delhi, you can take an overnight bus to Mathura. There are regular buses from all the major cities across India. Also, you can travel by car. Mathura is accessible from NH19/NH44.
By Train: Mathura is easy to reach by train! Plenty of direct trains from Delhi to Mathura make your journey smooth and enjoyable. Plus, Mathura Junction is well-connected to major rail routes across the country. During peak seasons, you can even enjoy a variety of festival special trains that add to the excitement of your visit!
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We hope we have helped you better understand how Holi is celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan. Are you game for it? If so, book your trip to Mathura to witness this fantastic festival of colours.
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Frequently Asked Questions Related To Holi In Mathura
What is Braj Holi?
Braj ki Holi is loaded with colours, finger-licking food, age-old traditions, and unrestrained fun. Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and its neighbouring areas draw many tourists yearly to participate in the colourful and vibrant festivities. The interesting part about Braj Holi is that it is more than just a day-long festival. It continues for over a week or more, starting from the first day after the Phalgun Amavasi. There is a lot to do, lots to eat, and lots to see during this festival.
Where is the best place to be in India for Holi?
Mathura & Vrindavan are undoubtedly the best places in India to celebrate and witness Holi. They are also popular across the nation for the same reason. Other than these two, the small towns, districts, and villages nearby are also popular for Holi celebrations.
How is the festival of Holi celebrated?
Holi is one of the biggest festivals of India. It is a two-day festival, wherein on the first day, a Holika bonfire is arranged in the evening, and people pray to God to cleanse their internal evil. On the second day, people start playing Holi in the morning.
How we can make Holi festival eco friendly?
We can make Holi festival eco friendly by using organic colours or flowers. Do not waste water and try to make your own colours.
Where to visit in Mathura for Holi?
Barsana and Nandgaon are doubtless some of the best places in Mathura to visit for Holi. You should also see Krishna Janmabhumi Temple, Radha Rani Temple, Vishram Ghat, and Banke Bihari Temple.
How many days do they play Holi in Vrindavan?
Holi is a week-long affair in Mathura and Vrindavan. The celebrations start one week before the Holi festival in nearby villages and temples.
Why is Barsana Holi famous?
Barsana is the birthplace of Radha. Holi is celebrated with great passion here. The ritual of Lathmar Holi is iconic - where women beat up men playfully with sticks.
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Abhay Kumar is a graduate of English Literature. Writing is both his hobby and his passion. He writes academic research articles as well as poetry and short fiction. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and translated fiction. He also loves traveling and writing about himself in the third person.
