Holi in Vrindavan & Mathura 2023 | Day Wise Detailed Guide!

Last Updated on 14 August 2023 by Poorna & Brinda

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. Poorna who was posted in Mathura in eighties while serving in the Army always talk about this experience!

Holi in Vrindavan is a joyful event. It is not a single day ritual unlike in most of the places in the country. It is a weeklong festival with its own interesting themes and legends.

We will give you the complete authentic details of all the days of Vrindavan Holi as confirmed from temples in Vrindavan and Mathura.

Pick and choose the days you want to attend. We will assure you that you will come back with rich, colourful and memorable experience of Holi in Vrindavan!

Holi in Vrindavan or Vrindavan Holi or Mathura Holi 2023 dates are from 28 Feb 2023 to 08 March 2023. The weeklong festival has different activities in different places around Mathura and Vrindavan. Each day is known by a different name.

Here, we give you all the details in a easy to follow day wise itinerary of Vrindavan Holi schedule.

Day 1 – 28 Feb 2023 – 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 beat 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 stick! 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 beaten by sticks! Of course, the men protect themselves with a shield and there is great energy and fervour in the atmosphere!

The men pay visit 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 ‘Samaj’ ceremony. It is a visual treat. The colour is red everywhere! in the air, on the floor, on the people!

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

Day 2 – 01 March 2023 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 women of Nandgaon! Be there in the morning and enjoy the fun filled festivities!

Nandgaon is 60 KMs from Mathura.

Day 3 – 03 March 2023 till 06 March 2023 

a) Phoolwalon Ki Holi, Banke Bihari temple, Vrindavan

b) Rangbaharni Holi at 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 03 March till 06 March 23 everyday. Poorna called the temple and confirmed this.

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

For more details please visit the website of temple – https://www.bihariji.org/

c) Holi in Mathura

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

Day 4 – 04 March 2023 – Widows’ Holi

Today, you can join the widows of Vrindavan and participate in holi with them. These ladies who are banished from homes come and stay in the Pagal baba ashram and devote their life to spirituality and god. Few yers back, they were not allowed to celebrate holi in colours.

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 take part in the festivities.

Day 5 –  06 March 2023 – Holi ka Dahan 

Holi ka Dahan

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

Day 6 – 7 March 2023 – 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 7 – 8 March 2023 – 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 Daoji temple, men are not only beaten with sticks but also stripped! The large extended family of which manages temple gather here and celebrate it. Men are stripped and beaten! Colours are thrown and bhang is drank! You may also jump into the temple pond full of colours!

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

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

We haven’t included Laddu Holi at Barsana in this schedule. If you wish to attend then it is on 27 Feb 23.

Travel tips

1. Make Mathura as base and book your accommodation. You have good options to stay here. Vrindavan do not have many options. Book well in advance as Holi in vrindavan and Mathura has become very popular ins last few years. This link may help. – Mathura hotels on Trip Advisor
2. Nearest airport to Matura is Agra but convenient airport is Delhi which has more flights. Mathura is well connected by trains to all parts of the country.
3. ISKON Vrindavan has guest houses. You can book them.
4. This Google map will give you an indicative directions of the places mentioned above from Mathura – https://goo.gl/maps/K6KkoNvFXiFUfton6
5. A dedicated vehicle/taxi is necessary as the festivities are spread out around Mathura. Though the distances are not long, the public transport is very poor.
6. Go to the event places early so that you get vantage point to watch the festivities.
7. Join the villagers and locals in festivities. They will always welcome you.
8. Don’t act funny and and misbehave with locals. Especially with women. Then you will get real “lath Mar” holi experience!!
9. Everyone drinks Bhang on Holi. Bhang – made out of cannabis leaves – is intoxicating. Taken in large quantity will be harmful. Try out Bhang Thandai – flavoured milk laced with Bhang.
10. Like the old saying “Be a Roman in Rome”, go with local fervour and just be part of it.
11. Sometimes the crowd may get rowdy and create problems. Be aware of it.
12. There have been few instances of men misbehaving with women. We advise women not to go alone and go only with a male partner.
13. The day time weather will be hot. Wear a good hat which will also protect your hair from coloured water. Drink lot of water.
14. When you are going in the morning, make sure you finish your breakfast and then go.
15. You will find people playing holi everywhere especially in the narrow lanes around the temple. Join them and have fun.
16. Don’t feel bad if someone spray colour on you. It is all fun. Just enjoy!
17. Wear something which you will throw away after Holi. Wear something loose and as you will be wet and it will dry fast as well.
18. If you are carrying a professional camera make sure you protect it well from water. This link will help – https://ravikanthkurma.wordpress.com/tag/holi/
19. Enjoy the street food. Mathura is famous for Lassi and Peda. Don’t forget to drink Bhang Thandai.
20. Carry a good bag-pack and keep your valuables in a plastic cover inside it so that it won’t get wet.

Acknowledgements

First nine pictures are from Ashit Desai from his lovely Album which can be seen here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/ashitdesai/albums/72157679126747932/page1

Last three pictures are from Retlaw Snellac Photography from his lovely Album which can be seen here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/waltercallens/albums/72157710370297591/page2

Thank You

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