Braj Holi 2025 spans an exciting 40-day celebration across the region, including Barsana, Nandgaon, Vrindavan, and Mathura. The festival starts on February 3rd with Basant Panchami and concludes on March 22nd with Rang Panchami, honouring Krishna’s joyful tradition of colouring Radha.
Barsana’s Holi is the most iconic, featuring the famous Lathmar Holi, where women playfully beat men from Nandgaon with sticks, recreating Radha and Krishna’s legendary love story. Meanwhile, Vrindavan and Mathura continue the celebrations, especially at Banke Bihari Temple, where devotees throw flower-based colours and dance to traditional music.
The Origin Of Barsana Holi
Krishna was born in Mathura and spent his childhood in Vrindavan. As a young boy, he once asked his mother why Radha had fair skin while he was dark. To comfort him, Yashoda playfully suggested that he could apply colours on Radha’s face.
Following this, Krishna would visit Radha’s village, Barsana, from Nandgaon to mischievously smear colours on Radha and her friends (Gopis). In response, the village girls playfully hit him with sticks, turning it into a joyful tradition. This playful exchange between Krishna and Radha later evolved into the vibrant Holi celebrations seen today.
Holi Celebration In Barsana
During Barsana’s Holi festival, men from Krishna’s village, Nandgaon, visit Radha’s temple in Barsana. As they try to enter, the women of Barsana playfully hit them with sticks. If caught, the men must dress as women and dance, symbolizing the fun-loving bond between Radha and Krishna. This lively tradition is known as Lathmar Holi.
The next day, the roles reverse—men from Barsana go to Nandgaon, where the women wait with sticks to continue the playful “revenge.”
Alongside the playful hitting, people throw vibrant colours made from Kesudo and Palash flowers, which grow in Gujarat and Jharkhand. These natural colours are gentle on the skin and perfect for Holi celebrations.
Barsana Holi 2025 Dates
March 7, 2025: Barsana Laddu Holi at Sriji Temple, Barsana
March 8, 2025: Lathmar Holi celebrations in Barsana
March 9, 2025: Lathmar Holi at Nand Bhawan, Nandgaon
Holi In Vrindavan And Mathura
The Holi festival at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan lasts for over a week. During this period, the idol of Bihariji (Lord Krishna) is dressed in white and brought out so devotees can celebrate Holi with it. People joyfully throw water and gulal (flower-based coloured powder) at each other, getting drenched in colours while dancing to festive music.
Mathura Vrindavan Holi Dates
March 10, 2025: Phoolwalon Ki Holi & Rangbaharni Holi at Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
March 11, 2025: Gokul Holi & Visit to Raman Reti
March 13, 2025: Holika Dahan (Bonfire Night) at Dwarkadhish Temple Dola, Mathura Vishram Ghat & Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
March 14, 2025: Dhulandi Holi celebrations in Vrindavan, Brij
