Holi in Vrindavan 2024

Holi 2024 falls on March 25th. The celebrations in most of India last for just 2 days: March 24th for Holika Dahan and March 25th for color fights. Being the hometown of Lord Krishna and his love Radha, the Braj area (Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Nandgaon, Govardhan, and Gokul) in Uttar Pradesh celebrates Holi for an additional week in advance (a total of 10 days). In 2024, the celebrations are expected to last from March 17th to 26th.

The color flights in Holi come from the legendary love story of Lord Krishna (the eighth avatar of Vishnu) and his love Radha. Braj in Uttar Pradesh was their hometown. People in this area celebrate Holi with much more ardor and exclusive festivities, such as the famous Lathmar Holi (Stick Holi). The most popular places to attend Lathmar Holi are Barsara and Nandgaon.

Holi in Vrindavan or “Vrindavan Holi” or “Mathura Holi” as it is called is once in a lifetime experience. Brajbhoomi as it is called is the place where Holi has to be experienced.

We give here complete day-wise details of the Vrindavan Holi 2024 schedule!

Day 1 – 17 Mar 2024 – Barsana Laddu Holi

Have you played with Laddus in your life? If the answer is NO, try it here in Barsana in Shrijis Temple. On these days devotees throw laddus on each other and also shower Krishna and Radha with laddus and flowers. Yes, there will be colors too! Start the Holy Week with what else but the favorite sweet of India – Laddu!

Day 2 – 18 Mar 2024 – Barsana Lath Mar Holi

This is the first day of festivities in Braj Bhoomi and is held in Barsana. It starts almost a week before the main “Holi Day”. The traditional festivities involve women dressing up as Gopis (consorts of Lord Krishna) and beating men who come dressed as Gops (friends of Lord Krishna) with sticks.

The legend is that Lord Krishna visited Barsana with his friends from Nandgaon and teased Gopis there. Gopis got annoyed, got together, and wanted to teach Krishna and his friends a lesson. They chased them away from their village by beating them with sticks! Hence the name Lath Mar which means give a kick or beat with with a stick!

Today, men from Lord Krishna’s town – Nandgaon – come to Barsana to tease women, get chased away, and be beaten by sticks! Of course, the men protect themselves with a shield and there is great energy and fervour in the atmosphere!

The men visit the Radha Rani temple and after that gather in the streets. The women with sticks beat them on their shields! The bhang-laced ‘thandai’ gives more energy to festivities. Elders of both villages sit inside the temple and sing ballads dedicated to Lord Krishna in the ‘Samaj’ ceremony. It is a visual treat. The color is red everywhere! In the air, on the floor, on the people!

Barsana is 50 KMs from Mathura and is an hour's drive. Reach there early as the temple will get crowded. Enjoy the festivities and get drenched in colors on one of the spectacular events of Holi in Vrindavan!

Day 3 – 19 March 2024 Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon

This is the reverse of Barsana. If Gopis have taught a lesson to Gopus of Nandgaon, should the Gopis of Nandgaon keep quiet?! On this day, the men from Barsana go to Nandgaon, tease women there, and will be given beatings by the women of Nandgaon! Be there in the morning and enjoy the fun-filled festivities!

Nandgaon is 60 KMs from Mathura.

Day 4 – 21 March 2024 till 24 March 2024

a) Phoolwalon Ki Holi, Banke Bihari temple, Vrindavan

b) Rangbaharni Holi, Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan

These are the most important dates for Holi in Vrindavan. Phoolwalein ki Holi and Rangbharni Holi will be played in Banke Bihari Temple from 21 March to 24 March 2024 every day.

The temple is open from 8.45 AM to 1.30 PM and 4.30 PM to 8 PM for festivities. No entry fees. No registration. Be there when the temple opens!

This is the highlight of Holi in Vrindavan! The main Holi of Vrindavan! Just feel the energy and atmosphere as you play Holi with Lord Krishna on this day! The temple opens at 8.45 AM and the festivities go on till 1.30 PM and again from 4.30 PM till 8 PM.

Get drenched in colors and flowers. Go with the flow and enjoy the energy and lovely atmosphere.

After playing Holi in the temple in the morning, you can come out and join the locals in the narrow lanes around the temple and play Holi with them.

If you are hungry, then there are kiosks selling snacks outside the temple.

Day 5 - 21 Mar 2024 – Holi in Mathura

After Holi festivities in Banke Bihari Temple, head straight to Mathura. The Holi procession in Mathura is colorful and lovely. You will find young boys and girls dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha sitting in these vehicles. As vehicles move people spray colors on those who are standing on the roadside and they will reciprocate! Join the procession and get drenched in colors. The procession starts from Vishram Ghat at 3 PM and ends at Holi gate at sunset.

Day 6 – 22 March 2024 – Widows’ Holi

Today, you can join the widows of Vrindavan and participate in Holi with them. These ladies who are banished from their homes come and stay in the Pagal Baba ashram and devote their lives to spirituality and God. A few years back, they were not allowed to celebrate Holi in colors.

For the last few years, it has changed and one can play Holi with them in colours. It is a good feeling and you can also donate to the noble cause. Go to Gopinath temple in Vrindavan around noon and participate in the festivities.

Day 7 – 24 March 2024 – Holi ka Dahan

Today, you can witness Holi Ka dahan at Holi Gate at Mathura when the effigies of Manmatha – the god of love – are burnt. Enjoy the cultural programs. Holi ka Dahan also happens at Banke Bihari and other temples in Vrindavan as well.

Day 8 – 25 March 2024 – Dhulandi Holi in Dwarkadheesh temple, Mathura

Today is the actual “Holi” day. On this day head to Dwarkadheesh temple in Mathura where the festivities start at 10 AM. It is good to go early and experience the life around the temple. You may also taste a glass of Bhang Thandai in one of the shops!

Be there when the gates open at 10 AM. Play Holi inside the temple. The scale and crowds are less than that of Banke Bihari temple but the atmosphere is lively! Dance to the rhythmic beats of dhol and join the fun!

Day 9 – 26 March 2024 – Huranga

The next day after Holi, head to Daoji temple, Baldeo which is 30 KMs from Mathura. Have your breakfast and reach there around 10 AM to get a vantage point. The festivities start at 12.30.

You saw Lath mar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon earlier. Here in the Daoji temple, men are not only beaten with sticks but also stripped! The large extended family that manages the temple gathers here and celebrates it. Men are stripped and beaten! Colours are thrown and bhang is drunk! You may also jump into the temple pond full of colors!

The Holi in Vrindavan and Mathura ends with Huranga. It is a weeklong festival of colors you will never see anywhere in the world!

Holi in Vrindavan & Mathura should be experienced. It is a lovely experience you will cherish forever. It may inspire you to go there again and again!