Holi celebration in Mathura are magical. The streets start filling with colors a month before the actual festival arrives. Markets begin selling colorful gulals (powders) and water guns to playful children and excited adults alike. And by the time the festival arrives, every face and every smile is drenched in a different color. The Holi festival in Mathura is celebrated with more intensity than anywhere else in India. After all, this place is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, who played Holi in these towns with Radha and other Gopis.
So, if experiencing Holi in this heritage city was one of the items on your bucket list, now is the right time to cross it. IamNavigato has compiled this guide to help you plan your visit to the fabled Vrindavan and witness the colors of the festival in all their might. Truly, there is no better place to celebrate this festival than in Mathura.
Important Dates to Keep in Mind for Holi Celebrations in Mathura
While planning your trip to this city, it is important to know that the Holi festival in Mathura starts a month before the actual date in the calendar. So, it is recommended that you plan accordingly. But if you want to participate in the main celebrations that last up to 8 days, also known as Holashtak, you can reach Vrindavan about a week before. The main festivities happen at different locations.
March 7th, Friday: Barsana Laddu Holi
Location: Sriji Temple Barsana
A day before the Holashtak, people throng the town of Barsana, some 50 odd kilometers away from Mathura, to witness the Laddu Holi. Here in the courtyard of Shriji Temple dedicated to Radha & Lord Krishna, Pandits throw Laddu (a dessert) at the crowd as prashad (blessing) who gather here to take Darshan of deities. Amidst the songs, colors, and dances the game of Laddoo Maar starts roughly around 3-4 pm, which marks the official beginning of the Holi celebration in Mathura.
March 8th, Saturday: Barsana Lathmar Holi
Location: Radha Rani Temple
The first day of Holashtak starts with the playful game of Latha Maar Holi, in which women playfully chase men away with wooden sticks or latha. It is said that Shri Krishna used to come to Barsana with his friends to play Holi with Radha, who along with other gopis used to chase them away with bamboo sticks. Today, this tradition continues, and the entire day is dedicated to this celebration.
March 9th, Sunday: Nandgaon Lathmar Holi
Location: Nand Bhawan, Nandgaon
This time, the same celebrations happen in the town of Nandgaon where women and men participate in the game of Lathmar Holi. Shri Nand Baba Temple as well as the Nand Bhawan become the playground for Holi celebrations. The festivities start around 4:30-5 pm, but it is recommended that you reach early to beat the crowd.
March 10th, Monday: Krishna Janma Bhoomi Holi & Phoolwalon Ki Holi
Location: Krishna Jamna Boomi/Bankey Bihari Temple
At the palatial temple of Krishna Janma Bhoomi, which commemorates the birthplace of Lord Krishna, grand celebrations of Holi take place. On the day of Rangharni Ekadashi, a crowd of people pack the place to participate in the Holi celebrations in Mathura. Local artists engage the crowd through a dance performance. The whole event culminates around 5 PM with Latha Maar Holi.
Another place where you can witness the real colors of Holi is at the Banke Bihari Temple, one of the most famous temples in Vrindavan. The Phoolwalon ki Holi reaches its peak on this day, as worshippers shower flower petals on the deities and use around 1500 kgs of flowers in the process. The festivities continue for the whole day with music, dance, and of course, color.
March 11th, Tuesday: Gokul Holi or Chhadi Maar Holi
Location: Gokul
Located 12 kilometers away from Mathura is the place called Gokul which marks the town where Lord Krishna grew up. On this day, a procession leads to Gokul Dham with kids dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha where devotees offer their prayers with flowers and colors. By the end of the day, women use Chadi to light heartedly beat men.
March 13th, Thursday: Holika Dahan (Holi Fire)
Location: Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura Vishram Ghat, & Banke Bihari Vrindavan
On the 7th day of the Holashtak, a procession of people enjoying Holi celebrations in Mathura moves from the Dwarkadheeshwar Temple to the Holi Gate. Crowds of people participate, dancing, singing, and throwing colors at each other. At night, Holika Dahan takes place where small figurines of Holika (a demoness) are burned on huge piles of wood and cowdung cakes symbolizing a victory of goodness over evil.
March 14th, Friday: Main Holi
Location: Anywhere in Mathura
On this day, the Holi festival in Mathura reaches its peak. Young and old, men and women – all participate in many playful games involving colors. The best places where you can enjoy Holi celebrations in Mathura on this day are around Holi Gate, Chhata Bazar, Vishram Ghat and nearby places.
Tourist Attractions in Mathura to Visit During Holi
The tourist attractions of Mathura become even more special under the cloud of colors during the Holi. These are some of the must-visit places that will make your Holi festival in Mathura extraordinary.
Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple
Believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple becomes the hub of Holi celebration in Mathura. The actual temple is divided into three parts – Garbhagriha, Keshavadeva and the Bhagavata Bhavan. But do expect a huge crowd if you are planning to visit here at the festivals.
Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 8:30 pm
Dwarkadhish Temple
Shri Dwarkadhish Temple is a marvelous spiritual structure that becomes even more extraordinary on the day of Holi. This tourist attraction in Mathura becomes the perfect place to witness the Holi celebrations, where people come to worship the deities of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani enshrined in the temple.
Timings: 7 am to 1 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Vishram Ghat
Another place to experience the Holi Festival in Mathura is the Vishram Ghat. On normal days, you can witness the aarti along the serene waters with ready boats on hire for a calming boat ride. But on the Holi, this place becomes even more magical. It is said that Lord Krishna rested on these banks after defeating the demon King Kansa.
Timings: Open all the time
Banke Bihari Temple
This tourist attraction in Vrindavan offers one of the most magnificent experiences that everyone must see once in a lifetime. The temple itself is dedicated to Lord Krishna whose idol stands in a tribhanga posture on the altar.
Timings: 7:45 am to 12 pm and 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Prem Mandir
Counted as among the most visited and beautiful tourist attractions in Vrindavan, the Prem Mandir offers once in a lifetime experience on Holi. Its entire marble structure becomes specked with different colors offering a unique contrast. On the temple walls, you can also find etchings that depict the legends of Lord Krishna.
Timings: 8:30 am to 12 pm, 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Barsana & Nandgaon
In the neighboring towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, the Holi celebrations are enjoyed with full force. Both of these places are known for their lathmar Holi where women mockingly ward off men in an attempt to mimic Krishna’s lighthearted taunting.
Timings: Open all the time
Conclusion
Holi celebrations in Mathura are an unmissable experience. People from all parts of the country and around the globe visit to witness the Holi in the birthplace of Lord Krishna. With this guide, you’ll be able to see the best of what the Festival of Colors has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. When does Holi 2025 start in Mathura, Vrindavan?
A. The Holi celebration in Mathura (Vrindavan) will start on March 7 and continue until March 14.
Q. What are the top spots for the Holika Dahan ritual in Mathura, Vrindavan?
A. Holi Gate, Chhata Bazaar and nearby places are the top spots for Holika Dahan ritual in Mathura.
Q. Is Holi safe for tourists in Mathura and Vrindavan?
A. Celebrating Holi in Mathura is generally safe but still visitors should take extra precautions.
Q. How far is Mathura, Vrindavan from Delhi NCR?
A. Mathura is 144.9 km (2 hr 41 min) away from Delhi NCR.
Q. How far is Mathura, Vrindavan from Jaipur?
A. Mathura is at a distance of 234.3 km from Jaipur (4 hr 39 min).
Q. What is the best time to visit Mathura, Vrindavan?
A. The best time to visit Mathura, Vrindavan is during the winter and spring seasons when the weather is pleasant with clear skies.
Q. What is the distance between Mathura and Vrindavan?
A. Vrindavan is about 14.6 km (31 min) away from Mathura.
Also Read: 12 Famous Shiva Temples in India | 10 Best Places to Visit in North India
