Mathura Vrindavan Holi Tour Packages

India Holi Festival – Mathura Vrindavan 2026

Holi, the festival of vibrant colors, devotion, and joy, is celebrated with unmatched fervor across India—but nowhere is it as grand and spiritually rich as in the land of Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon.

Here, Holi is not just about throwing colors—it's about reliving the divine love of Radha and Krishna, immersing yourself in temple rituals, dancing to the tunes of bhajans, and witnessing centuries-old traditions come alive in the narrow lanes of Braj.

Holi Schedule In Mathura 2026

Dates not finalized yet – these are the possible dates based on the traditional lunar calendar.

Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon Holi is globally famous where Lord Krishna and Radha play Holi with friends and gopis. The celebration begins a week before the main Holi and continues till Dhulandi.

22 February 2026, Sunday

Barsana Holi: Laddu Holi at Sriji Temple – Priests throw laddus (sweets) at devotees as part of this joyful ritual.

23 February 2026, Monday

Barsana Holi: Lathmar Holi – Women of Barsana playfully hit men from Nandgaon with sticks. A fun and iconic tradition!

24 February 2026, Tuesday

Nandgaon Holi: Lathmar Holi at Nand Bhawan – Now it's Nandgaon's turn to host, and Barsana women come to play.

25 February 2026, Wednesday

Vrindavan Holi: Phoolwalon Ki Holi at Bankey Bihari Temple – Devotees are showered with flowers instead of colors. Followed by Rangbharni Holi, the first day of playing with colors.

26 February 2026, Thursday

Mathura Holi: Grand celebrations at Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple with colors, bhajans, and cultural performances across the city.

27 February 2026, Friday

Gokul Holi: Visit Raman Reti, play Holi the traditional way with locals and immerse in the peaceful divine vibes.

28 February 2026, Saturday

Holika Dahan: The eve of Holi. Rituals and bonfires are held across Dwarkadhish Temple and Vishram Ghat to mark the victory of good over evil.

1 March 2026, Sunday

Dhulandi Holi: The main day of Holi with Tesu (flame of the forest) flower color, Abir-Gulal, and water-filled celebrations in every corner of Braj—from temples to rooftops.

Travel Tip:

• Book accommodations early (they fill up quickly).
• Wear traditional white clothing for the color play.
• Carry herbal gulal and be respectful of local customs.

Mathura Holi: Rangbharni Ekadashi & Lathmar Holi 2026

Celebrate Holi in Mathura – Vrindavan – Barsana – Gokul – Nandgaon… the Land of Lord Krishna!

India’s Holi, the festival of vibrant colors, of showers of joy and happiness, marks the arrival of spring, new beginnings, and divine love. It’s the favorite festival of Lord Krishna, and what better place to witness its full glory than the land where he spent his childhood?

Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Gokul don’t just celebrate Holi—they live it, breathe it, and sing it with unmatched devotion and divine madness. From narrow temple streets to expansive ghats, the air turns into a colorful canvas of love, mischief, and spiritual energy.

It’s certainly the ideal destination to be in during this festive season! With colors flying in every direction, the air echoing with Krishna bhajans, the smell of fresh gujiyas, and thousands of smiling faces greeting each other, the entire region of Braj Bhoomi turns into a joyful celebration of life and love.

Holi in Mathura is not a one-day affair—it’s a month-long fiesta, starting in February and culminating in the grand Dhulandi Holi in March. The entire Brij region—from Barsana to Nandgaon, Gokul to Vrindavan, and finally to Mathura—hosts daily rituals, cultural events, and temple festivities that leave every traveler absolutely mesmerized.

Every year, international tourists, photographers, spiritual seekers, and media teams from all over the world gather here to capture this surreal celebration. And every year, they leave with color-stained clothes, radiant smiles, and unforgettable memories.

Top Experiences During Mathura Vrindavan Holi 2026

• Barsana Lathmar Holi: A playful and iconic tradition where women of Barsana hit men with sticks in a symbolic re-enactment of Radha-Krishna’s teasing. The men defend themselves with shields while singing Holi songs!
• Nandgaon Lathmar Holi: The next day, the men of Barsana visit Nandgaon for the return match—pure festive rivalry with music, joy, and color all around.
• Phoolon Wali Holi: At Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan—experience being showered with flowers instead of colors. One of the most divine and photogenic Holi moments!
• Rangbharni Ekadashi: Held just days before the main Holi, this marks the beginning of the color celebrations at Banke Bihari temple with gulal flying in the air.
• Falen Ki Holi: Held in Falen village, 40 km from Mathura, where a priest walks barefoot through fire on Holika Dahan night—believed to be immune to fire, just like Prahlad!
• Dauji Huranga: A wild and vibrant Holi played in Dauji Temple, Baldeo village. Women tear off men’s clothes and drench them in colors—a chaotic and culturally unique spectacle.

Why You Should Visit Mathura Holi in 2026?

• Authentic Cultural Experience: You’re not just a spectator; you become part of the story.
• Perfect for Photography & Filming: Every street, every temple becomes a vibrant painting.
• Spiritual & Festive Fusion: Temple chants mixed with colored powder, devotion with fun.
• Unique Events Daily: Each town has a signature Holi tradition, unlike anywhere else in India.

1 : Barsana Laddu Holi at Shriji Temple

Date: Friday, 20 February 2026

Laddu Holi marks the beginning of Holi festivities in Barsana. Held at the revered Shriji Temple, priests and devotees joyously throw laddus into the crowd as symbolic offerings. This playful event recalls Krishna's childhood mischief when he visited Radha's village with his friends to play Holi. The atmosphere is filled with devotional bhajans, dancing, and showers of flower petals and laddus, creating a spiritually festive beginning. Only natural flower-based colors are used, keeping the celebration vibrant yet eco-friendly.

2 : Barsana Lathmar Holi

Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026

This is the main Holi of Barsana and one of the most iconic Holi events in India. Men from Nandgaon come to Barsana, only to be greeted by women wielding sticks—recreating the ancient legend where Krishna playfully teased Radha and was chased away. The laughter, music, and colorful riot of this “mock battle” make it a must-see cultural highlight. The gopis’ symbolic act is seen as a fun assertion of feminine spirit wrapped in centuries-old tradition.

3 : Nandgaon Lathmar Holi

Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026

Now it’s Barsana’s turn to visit Nandgaon! The women of Nandgaon prepare to "welcome" the men from Barsana with colors and fun resistance. This reversal of roles adds to the camaraderie, as both locals and visitors immerse themselves in Braj folk songs, gulal, and sweets. The event honors the playful yet divine romance between Krishna and Radha, expressed through community participation.

4 : Widows' Holi at Vrindavan

Date: Monday, 23 February 2026

Hosted primarily at Gopinath Temple, this moving celebration breaks social taboos, as widows—once excluded from festivals—now participate fully. Dressed in white, they color each other with herbal powders, sing devotional songs, and dance freely. Supported by NGOs, this event has become both a celebration and a symbol of dignity, inclusion, and women’s rights in Indian culture.

5 : Phoolwalon Ki Holi & Rangbharni Ekadashi at Banke Bihari Temple

Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026

The most spiritual and aesthetic Holi takes place in Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Temple. On Rangbharni Ekadashi, the temple priests begin Holi celebrations by showering devotees and the deity with rose, marigold, and jasmine petals. Chants of “Radhe Radhe” echo as colors mix with incense and devotion. This event marks the official start of Vrindavan’s color celebrations and offers a soul-stirring experience.

6 : Mathura Holi at Krishna Janmabhoomi

Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026

In Krishna’s birthplace, Holi is celebrated with unmatched grandeur. The celebrations begin at Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, where early morning rituals, color play, folk dances, and bhajans fill the air. Streets and temples alike come alive as people greet each other with Tesu flower colors and sweets. The Dwarkadhish Temple also hosts magnificent Holi events that draw large crowds.

7 : Gokul Holi & Raman Reti Visit

Date: Thursday, 26 February 2026

Gokul, where Krishna was raised, offers a more serene and devotionally charged Holi. Devotees gather at Raman Reti, where Krishna once played in the sand. With colors, prayers, and holy chants, the celebration here blends spiritual tranquility with festive energy. Perfect for those seeking a peaceful Holi experience with deep spiritual resonance.

8 : Holika Dahan (The Bonfire Ritual)

Date: Thursday Night, 26 February 2026

Holika Dahan symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Giant bonfires are lit across Mathura, with major rituals at Vishram Ghat and Dwarkadhish Temple. Devotees sing, pray, and walk around the fire in remembrance of Prahlad’s victory over Holika. At Falen village, a priest walks barefoot through fire in a stunning ritual believed to be protected by divine grace. It is a surreal and sacred experience unlike any other.

9 : Dhulandi Holi (Main Day of Color Play)

Date: Friday, 27 February 2026

The entire region of Braj bursts into a vibrant carnival of colors! Temples, lanes, ghats, and courtyards transform into arenas of joy. Locals and tourists play with gulal, colored water, and celebrate Krishna’s playful legacy. Radha-Krishna bhajans ring through the air as sweets are shared, and everyone joins in unity, laughter, and divine bliss. This is the day when Holi becomes a shared joy across castes, cultures, and countries.

Final Conclusions

Holi 2026 in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Gokul is not just a festival—it’s a spiritual and cultural spectacle that draws devotees, photographers, and travelers from around the world. Each event tells a timeless story, rooted in Braj’s mythology and tradition.

If you are planning to witness Holi in 2026, be sure to book your travel early, dress appropriately, and open your heart to one of India’s most unforgettable celebrations.

Jai Shri Radhe! Jai Shri Krishna!