Holi celebrations in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon

Holi is celebrated all over North India, so if you happen to be here on this day or on the days prior to this festival, you can’t miss it. That said, there is a difference between watching the festivities and taking part in it. Read this article about how Holi is celebrated.

Mathura, the historic town in Uttar Pradesh, is renowned as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The best time to visit Mathura is during the Holi festival when this temple town comes alive with songs, dance and of course the throwing of colors.

In spite of its religious theme and association with Radha and Krishna, Holi can sometimes be a rowdy affair. If you venture out of your room on this day, you will become a part of the festivities whether you like it or not. I would advise foreigners to watch the celebration for a while from the sidelines before throwing themselves into the midst of it. If you are convinced that Holi is your thing, and you actually like the idea of getting dirty and wet, go out and have a blast. Nothing will stop you from having fun on this day. Interested in celebrating Holi in Uttar Pradesh? Read more about the best places to celebrated Holi in India.

Holi celebrations in certain parts of the country are more famous than others because of their uniqueness. If you are interested in being part of huge Holi celebrations, head to Uttar Pradesh. The Holi celebrations in the towns of Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon are the simply the best and the most colorful. A word of caution – the celebrations here are also the most riotous.

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Head to Mathura to enjoy the authentic flavor of Holi. The celebrations here are an intensely spiritual experience that transports the players into a higher realm of truth.

Holi celebrations in the towns of Vrindavan, Mathura, Nandgaon and Barsana in Uttar Pradesh are famous all over the world. These neighboring towns are associated with the birth and childhood of Lord Krishna. Krishna was born at Mathura. He spent his childhood in Nandgaon and Vrindavan. His sweetheart Radha lived in Barsana.

Holi – the legend of Krishna and Radha

Holi has a strong association with Krishna. According to a very popular myth, Krishna was not all that happy with his dark blue complexion especially since Radha, the object of his affection and admiration, was very fair. So, he would often ask his foster mother Yashoda why he was so dark. Yashoda was tired of hearing this complaint and one day told him that he could smear Radha’s face with whatever colors he liked. Krishna did so, and the two became a pair. Radha absolutely loved his playful gesture and threw colors over him as well. Soon, her friends (they are called gopis) joined the celebration. They spent the entire day playing with colors. Even today, Holi is celebrated exactly like this. People throw colored powders and waters on their loved ones and have fun.

Read also the story of Holika and Prahlad.

If you don’t want to get dirty, you should stay inside on Holi day. In many parts of the country, there is a practice of consuming bhang derived from cannabis on this day. Women should avoid going out alone on Holi even if they do so on other days. Men, even strangers, can smear colors on the face of women on this day. Some guys might take advantage of this opportunity.

Best places to celebrate Holi in India

Barsana: Lathmar Holi

Holi celebrations in Barsana are unique in many ways. Barsana is the village where Radha lived. Here the Holi celebrations start several days before the actual Holi. Each year, thousands of tourists head to Barsana to witness the unique festival called Lathmar Holi.

A Holi reveler tries to protect himself with a shield as women beat him up. Lathmar Holi celebrated in Barsana is unique. It involves women of Barsana beating men up with sticks. Lathmar means beat with sticks.

Legend has it that Krishna visited Radha’s village on this day. Being a naughty boy, he teased her friends. The women of Barsana took offence at his remarks and chased him away – most probably with sticks. Since then, every year on this day men from his village (Nandgaon) visit Barsana to play Holi with the women there. The celebrations start from the Radha Rani temple in Barsana. After the ceremony at the temple, the men will march out and stop to play Holi with the women who stand in groups along the streets armed with sticks. They will eventually get beaten up by the women. As the celebration advances, people watching it from the sidelines will become hysterical and sing songs. Watching the town immerse itself in the festivities can be a deeply spiritual experience. The next day, men from Barsana will go to play Holi with women in Nandgaon.

In 2016, the Lathmar Holi will be celebrated on March 17. If time permits visit Barsana a couple of days ahead of Lathmar Holi. This will give you an opportunity to enjoy the Laddoo (an Indian sweet) Holi festival. In 2016, it will be held on March 16. People will throw sweets around and sing songs praising Radha and Krishna.

Mathura and Vrindavan

Holi is Vrindavan is the most colorful and the most playful.

The Holi celebrations in these two towns in Uttar Pradesh are rather traditional and spiritual. Mathura is renowned as the birthplace of Krishna. He spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The Holi celebrations here start about 40 days in advance of the main Holi. The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan holds a week-long celebration that culminates on the main Holi day. The colorful Holi procession in Mathura is world famous. It starts in the afternoon on the Holi day from Vishram Ghat and finishes near Holi Gate. The Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura is one of the best places to watch the festivities.