Holi is simply famous as the Festival of Colors. It is one of the biggest festivals in India. However, Holi in Vrindavan is an out-of-this-world experience.
Holi celebrations are usually during March every year. Many communities of South Asia including non-Hindus also celebrate this vibrant festival.
Holi Festival Meaning
Hindus have been celebrating the holiday of Holi since the beginning of time. It stands for the start of spring and the victory of right over wrong. It’s also claimed to be a recreation of a game performed by the Hindu deity Lord Krishna with Radha and the gopis.
According to legend, the Holi Festival began as a celebration for newlywed women to wish their new families happiness and success. Since then, a lot more has been added to the festival. Now, the Holi Festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil as one of its principal themes.
Holi in Vrindavan
While Holi is celebrated in almost every part of India, Holi in Vrindavan is quite famous. This is also famous as Braj ki Holi or Vrindavan ki Holi.
Braj is a historical region that covers the area of Mathura, Vrindavan, and some nearby areas. Holi here attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. Because of its special customs and traditions.
Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan is the place where he grew up in his childhood.
When Krishna was young, he told his mother about Radha being fair while Krishna himself was dark-complexioned. His mother (Yashoda) suggested he color Radha with colors in a playful manner.
Over the years, Krishna from his village Nandgaon used to go to Barsana to color Radha and other Gopis. They also used to playfully beat him with sticks. And hence the tradition evolved.
Vrindavan Temples During Holi Festival
Banke Bihari Temple
If you visit Vrindavan during Holi, you might begin at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. The Holi festival held at this temple is well-known worldwide.
A week before Holi, the surrounding streets and temple grounds start to come alive with the color and celebration of the festival.
ISKON Temple
At the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan, there is also a sizable crowd of visitors during Holi. The Holi celebrations are at gorgeous temple grounds.
You can also take part in Phoolon ki Holi or the festival of flowers at ISKON Vrindavan. People exchange vibrant flowers and petals, share joy, dance, and sing along to Krishna bhajans.
Prem Mandir
One of Vrindavan’s most revered temples is Prem Mandir. Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj constructed this temple. The temple has lovely gardens and ponds.
The four Krishna leelas carved on the temple walls are famous here. You can witness Jhulan Leela, Govardhan Leela, Raas Leela, and Kaliya Naag Leela here.
Govind Ji Temple
One of Vrindavan’s oldest temples is Govind Dev Ji Temple. You can take part in the extravagant Holi celebrations with an enthusiastic crowd.
They build this magnificent temple in the sixteenth century. The temple has a red sandstone exterior. Raja Man Singh the first constructed this temple.
Krishna Janmasthan Temple
If you are going to Mathura during Holi, you must visit the Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple. Here, the Holi celebrations start weeks before the festival.
You may also play Holi within the complex’s interior buildings. The temple is in Mallapura, Mathura, which is the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
What Is Special About Holi in Vrindavan
BRAJ HOLI – Colours Of Faith And Tradition
Braj, also known as Brijbhoomi is the land of Radha and Krishna…. of the Gopis…. of Yashoda Maiya… of the Yamuna…. of milk and butter… Indelibly ingrained in the Indian ethos.
Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Govardhan, Nandgaon, and Gokul along with the meandering Yamuna are where everything revolves around in Brijbhoomi.
The festival of colors and the advent of spring. Holi is India’s most boisterous festival, celebrated with great importance. But the celebrations in Brijbhoomi are in a class of their own.
Holi in Braj is not like the Holi as we know it – played with colors only.
Holi in Braj played not only with colors but also with laddoos, sticks (lathis) & flowers. All are accompanied by a heady ‘Thandai’, a drink made with milk and herbs.
The celebration here is not limited to one day, but goes on for 40 days!
Plan A Trip To Vrindavan For Holi
To make your trip planning easy, we have given the below the order of festivities. You can choose to attend a few festivals or stay in the town and experience the most colorful week of your life.
- Visit Banaras for Holi
Wooden sticks in response to their efforts to put color on them.
Barsana Holi celebrations start about a week before the actual date of Holi. Barsana is a village near Mathura and it was the village of Radha. It is famous for its lathmar Holi in which women beat men (playfully) with sticks. Banaras is the place where Radha used to live and Krishna used to visit this place to put color on Radha.
- Visit Nandgaon
Celebrations in Banaras are followed up by similar celebrations in Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) on the very next day. Nandgaon is the place where Krishna spent most of his childhood days. According to legends, after Krishna went to Barsana to put color on Radha, Radha and her friends came to Nandgaon the next day to put color on Krishna. And hence, Holi celebrations shift from Barsana to Nandgaon.
Where To Stay in Vrindavan During The Holi Festival.
Vrindavan has a lot of options to stay, but it’s best to book your room in advance. Most of the rooms here are simple and are available at very cheap prices.
Book your stay in VRINDAVAN/ MATHURA.
Book your tour for Vrindavan-Mathura Temple Darshan.
How To Reach Vrindavan From Mathura:
The nearest railway station is at Mathura (5 km) from the temple and the nearest airport is at Delhi (169 km).
Taxis are available from Mathura railway station at regular intervals for Vrindavan.
State buses connect Vrindavan to other neighboring cities. You will easily get local cabs to travel to nearby places.
Conclusion
Many of us are unaware that Mathura, Nandgaon, Vrindavan, and Barsana celebrate Holi for 40 days, but the first 10 days are worth witnessing. Holi was first celebrated by Krishna, who began using colored powders to play with Gopiya.
Would you like to be a part of the Holi celebrations in Vrindavan? Let us know in the comments below!
