Agra's Colorful Escape to Mathura and Vrindavan, India's Most Celebrated Holi Festival

One of the largest Holi festivals is celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan, which are approximately 58 kilometers from Agra. Hundreds of locals travel every year to attend this week-long festival, with several different events running through the week. Some of the most popular ones are Lathmar Holi in Barsana (played with sticks), Phoolon Wali Holi (played with flowers), and the main Holi festivities on March 13.

This is a rather interesting form of play, especially for women, as they earn a once in a lifetime chance to beat men with sticks! This became part of the celebration when in Hindu history Lord Krishna visited Barsana for Holi where he met Radha and her friends, whom he teased a lot. This offended the ladies and so they decided to take revenge by beating Lord Krishna with sticks and chasing him away.

The event is celebrated in good spirit and the men are prepared for what will happen to them. They come fully padded and try their best to shield themselves. Each year the event is a huge success and thousands of foreigners also come to watch and enjoy the fun.

Address:

Barsana, Uttar Pradesh

Time and Distance from Agra: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by car (98km)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEYOF0fvcI1/?tagged=lathmarholi

A short and sweet affair, Phoolon (flower) wali holi is a 20-minute affair that is celebrated at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. It is the only Holi celebration that is not done with dry or wet colors, but instead with flowers. The temple gates open around 4 p.m. after which flowers are showered on the devotees by temple priests. The best time would be to arrive as soon as the gates open, to allow enough time to be able to take the perfect shot of the flowers mid-air.

Address:

Banke Bihari Temple, Goda Vihar, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Time and Distance from Agra: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car (71km)

The hub of all Holi festivals, Banke Bihari, is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The event here takes place a day before the main Holi festival, and begins from morning till afternoon; the temple gates open and welcome all visitors to come and play Holi. It is an exciting event to be a part of, as the priest throws colors and holy water and the entire crowd chants in unison. Although many foreigners and women also enjoy this celebration, it can become a bit rowdy and ends up becoming a predominantly male event. If traveling from Agra, it would be ideal to stay the night in Mathura, as the main Holi festival, which happens in there, is the very next day. Vrindavan is a short cab or auto-rickshaw ride to Mathura.

Times: 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Address:

Banke Bihari Temple, Goda Vihar, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDcQ2sYAXlV/?tagged=bankebiharitemple

The largest Holi festival takes place at Dwarkadheesh Temple. The gates open at 10 a.m. and there is already a large, excited crowd waiting outside to begin the fun. Mostly local men and children participate because the situation does get quite heated. However, many male and female tourists are spotted as well. There’s a lot of drum playing on this day and many people join in and dance to the drum beats. Locals from Agra sometimes only attend this one main event and drive back to Agra on the day itself.

Time: 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Address:

Shri Dwarikadheesh Ji Temple, Chaubiya Para Moholla, Dwarkadhish Ki Bjaria, Vishram Bazar Rd, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Time and Distance from Agra to Dwarikadheesh Temple – 1 hour and 30 minutes (71km)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDStf5TElIe/?tagged=dwarkadheeshtemple

Bhaang (a form of cannabis) is one of the main highlights of Holi and it is legal in the city in the form of Thandai (cold flavored milk). Everyone experiencing Holi for the first time should definitely give it a try. If you head out to Vishram ghat in Mathura slightly earlier on March 13, you can spot priests preparing bhaang for the main event.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ5azMtBrLH/?tagged=thandai

Event Timeline:

Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon–March 5-8, 2017
Phoolon Wali Holi–March 8, 2017
Holi at Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan–March 12, 2017
Holi Festivities in Mathura–March 13, 2017