Best places to celebrate Holi in 2016
Mathura and Vrindavan are the best places to celebrate Holi 2016 in India. Holi is celebrated all over North India and Nepal, but the best and the most boisterous celebrations are the ones held in these two places in Uttar Pradesh.
People throwing buckets of colored water on one another – Dry Holi may be safer but wet Holi is more fun.
Mathura and Vrindavan are neighboring towns that have a strong association with Lord Krishna. If you are planning to celebrate Holi in these places, this article will help you to plan the trip.
When is Holi celebrated
Holi is unarguably the most colorful of all festivals celebrated in India. It is celebrated on the full moon day falling in the month of Phalguna. This day typically occurs in the month of March. Holi is basically a two-day festival. On the first day (the full moon day) huge bonfires are lit in the evenings. The second day (the main Holi day) is meant for merrymaking.
If you really want to savor the authentic flavor of Holi you need to be in Vrindavan and Mathura. Here the festivities know no bounds.
In 2016, Holi will be celebrated on March 23 and March 24. In some parts of the country, Makar Sankranti (celebrated on January 14 or 15) marks the beginning of Holi festivities. The celebrations actually continue beyond the main Holi day. If you are coming to India to celebrate Holi, try to be here at least a few days in advance and stay for a few more days after Holi. Some major celebrations actually occur before and after the main Holi day.
In this post, I will include the biggest Holi events in Vrindavan, Mathura and Barsana. Read this article to learn more about how Holi is celebrated.
Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon
Lathi means baton or stick. To ‘mar’ is to beat. Lathmar means beat with sticks. This is exactly what happens during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in Barsana. Men who try to smear colors on the faces of women get beaten up by them. Men are from the village of Nandgaon. Women are from the village of Barsana. There is an interesting story behind this unique Lathmar Holi celebration. Lathmar Holi attracts thousands of people from all over India and abroad. As the festivities advance, the crowds will turn hysteric. Lathmar Holi is celebrated about 7 days before the main Holi.
Lathmar Holi in Barsana – Women beat men who try to play Holi with them. Lathmar Holi is a tradition peculiar to Barsana and Nandgaon.
When
Barsana Lathmar Holi – March 17, 2016
Nandgaon Lathmar Holi – March 18, 2016
How to reach there?
Barsana and Nandgaon are neighboring villages. Barsana is about 115 kilometers from Delhi. So, if you are already in Delhi, just hire a cab. It won’t take more than a couple of hours to reach Barsana. You can also hire a cab from Mathura which is about 50 kilometers from Barsana. The best place to enjoy the festivities is from the top balcony of the temple. From there you will also be able to take photographs. Try to reach the temple early in the morning. Otherwise, you won’t be able to climb to the balcony.
Holi at Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Holi celebration in Vrindavan – Participants urge the priests to throw colors on them.
Banke Bihari Temple is the epicenter of the Holi celebrations in Vrindavan. Here the event takes place on the first day of Holi (the full moon day). Anyone can enter the temple on this day and play Holi. The celebrations will begin when the priest throws colors and holy water on the chanting crowd. The chants, the colors and the energy that you feel at this place make the experience unforgettable.
While Lathmar Holi sees the equal participation of men and women, Holi in Vrindavan is basically a male affair. You will find some women, especially tourists. Local women are usually absent from the scene because the crowd do get rowdy at times. The temple is open from 9 am to 1.30 pm. The celebrations also spill to the roads.
When
March 23, 2016 (a day before main Holi)
How to reach Vrindavan?
Vrindavan is about 160 kms from Delhi. You can hire a cab. If you start early in the morning, you will be able to reach the temple before the festivities begin. Vrindavan is only about 12 kilometers from Mathura. It is not easy to find accommodation there. So rent a room in Mathura and stay overnight. This way you will be able to ensure that you are there in time for the celebrations.
Holi procession in Mathura
The Holi celebration in Vrindavan will be over by 2 pm. Most revelers will then move to Mathura to take part in the colorful procession there. The procession starts from Vishram Ghat and ends near the Holi Gate. You can watch it from either side of the streets. About 10 vehicles decorated with flowers and kids dressed up as Radha and Krishna participate in this procession. The procession starts at about 3 pm. In Mathura, the major celebrations are on the main Holi day (March 24, 2016).
When
A day before Holi (March 23, 2016) – 2pm to 6pm
How to reach Mathura?
From Vrindavan you can take a rickshaw to Mathura.
Holi in Mathura
March 24, 2015
In Mathura, Holi is a two-day festival. On the first day, there will be a colorful procession. On the second day, revelers will assemble at the Dwarkadheesh Temple and play Holi. No one is spared.
In Mathura Holi is celebrated on both days. On the first day (the full moon day), there is a colorful procession in the afternoon. The celebrations reach their zenith on the second day (main Holi day). The Dwarkadheesh Temple is the center of the celebrations in Mathura. This is an ancient temple and here the festivities start early in the morning. If you can be at Vishram Ghat at 7 pm, you will be able to watch priests making Bhang. This is a drink made from cannabis and it is offered to the participants. Don’t consume more than a glass, though. Bhang can be quite intoxicating.
The gates of the temple open at 10 am. The participants are usually men and children. Local women are fewer in number, but you will find a lot of foreign women participating in these festivities.
Holi in Mathura is less boisterous than that is in Vrindavan, but it is just as colorful. Actually, inside the temple you will find a lot of local as well as foreign women playing Holi. Both singing and dancing are involved.
When?
March 24, 2016 (Main Holi day) between 10 am and 1.30 pm
Where?
Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura
How to reach there
If you are in Delhi, just hire a cab to Mathura.