Types of Holi Are Celebrated in Vrindavan
- by shiva singh
- 7 min reading time
Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most awaited and celebrated festivals in India. However, when it comes to Vrindavan, Mathura, and the Braj region, Holi takes on an entirely different meaning. It is not merely playing with colors here but is embedded in a lot of devotion, mythology, and tradition related to Lord Krishna. In other regions of India, where Holi is celebrated on one day, Vrindavan and the areas around it celebrate Holi for almost a fortnight in some very special and unique ways. Every form of Holi in Vrindavan narrates a unique story, propagating the tales of Radha and Krishna, who turned this festival into a symbol of love, mischief, and happiness.
In this blog, we shall discuss the different forms of Holi celebrated in Vrindavan, their importance, and the best places to experience them.
1. Phoolon Ki Holi (The Holi of Flowers) 🌸
Phoolon Ki Holi is a special and heavenly method of celebrating Holi at Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple. In contrast to the common Holi, where colored powders are thrown, here flowers are used to play Holi. This provides a heavenly environment where the air is filled with the scent of roses, marigolds, and jasmine.
When & Where?
📅 Date: Celebrated on Ekadashi (five days prior to the main Holi festival)
📍 Location: Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Why is it Special?
- This is a more devotional and peaceful kind of Holi, ideal for those who wish to celebrate Holi in a spiritual way.
- Unlike the water and color-filled noisy celebrations, this is a brief but divine experience where flower petals are showered by the temple priests on devotees.
⏳ Important Tip: The celebration is on for just 15-20 minutes, so arrive at the temple early enough to secure a good position.
2. Widow’s Holi (Breaking Social Norms) ⚪
Widows in India were bound to wear nothing but white and abstain from festival activities such as Holi for centuries. However, of late, Widows' Holi in Vrindavan has become synonymous with shattering social norms and providing widows with an opportunity to celebrate life.
When & Where?
📅 Date: A few days before Holi
📍 Location: Gopinath Temple, Vrindavan
Why is it Special?
- It is a symbol of women empowerment and a break from age-old traditions.
- Dozens of widows, predominantly from Vrindavan and Varanasi, gather to celebrate Holi with colors and flowers.
This Holi is not only a festival but also a movement, reminding society that every individual deserves celebration and happiness.
3. Lathmar Holi (The Playful Battle of Colors & Sticks) 🪵
Lathmar Holi, one of the most renowned Holi celebrations in Barsana and Nandgaon, is based on the mythological stories of Radha and Krishna. The legend has it that Krishna and Nandgaon friends went to Radha's village Barsana to play a prank on Radha and the friends (Gopis). For this, Radha and her friends chased them away with lathis.
When & Where?
📅 Date: One week prior to Holi
📍 Location: Barsana (Radha's native place as well) and Nandgaon (Krishna's native place as well)
Why is it Special?
- Women thrash men with sticks (in play!), and men attempt to defend themselves using shields.
- The whole town dances to folk songs and plays with hues.
- Tourists from all over the globe flock to Barsana and Nandgaon to see this one-of-a-kind and vibrant tradition.
⏳ Important Tip: Be ready for vast crowds if attending and bring safety gear for phone and camera if going.
4. Huranga Holi (Temple Courtyard Madness) 🎭
Huranga Holi is a crazy and vibrant celebration which is celebrated inside the Dauji Temple, close to Mathura. It is like Lathmar Holi but it is played indoors in the courtyard of the temple, where women and men splatter each other with colors and pails of water.
When & Where?
📅 Date: A day after the main Holi
📍 Location: Dauji Temple (30 km from Mathura)
Why is it Special?
- Unlike other Holi celebrations, this one is held within a temple courtyard.
- The village women take revenge on the men by tearing off their shirts and soaking them in colors.
- It's an event filled with fun that keeps old traditions going.
5. Rangbharni Holi (The Grand Celebration at Banke Bihari Temple) 🎨
One of the prominent Holi festivities in Vrindavan, Rangbharni Holi is the largest festival at Banke Bihari Temple. The temple priests take out the idol of Banke Bihari (Krishna) and the whole temple is a field of colors, music, and dance.
When & Where?
📅 Date: A day before main Holi
📍 Location: Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Why is it Special?
- Devotees sing Holi bhajans and shower gulal (colored powder) in the air.
- The temple priests participate, and the celebration becomes even more divine.
- It is said that playing Holi in Vrindavan is the same as playing Holi with Lord Krishna himself.
⏳ Important Tip: The temple becomes very crowded, so come early in the morning to have the best experience.
6. Holi at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura 🏛️
Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna's birth, also observes Holi with a lot of fervor. Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple celebrations incorporate bhajans, processions, and large Holi celebrations.
When & Where?
📅 Date: On the main Holi day
📍 Location: Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura
Why is it Special?
- Thousands of devotees sing and dance together, and it is a spiritual experience of Holi.
- The temple is quite nicely decorated with flowers and colors.
If you're looking for a spiritually enriching Holi, this is the destination to choose!
Final Thoughts: Experience the True Essence of Holi in Vrindavan 🌈
Vrindavan's Holi is not merely a festival—rather, a divine experience. While in the rest of India, Holi is celebrated over a single day, Vrindavan and Braj observe it for weeks, in different forms, each with its own legend and import.
From the graceful Phoolon Ki Holi to the vibrant Lathmar Holi, each celebration is a step closer to the essence of Radha and Krishna's love and playfulness.
Planning to visit Vrindavan for Holi? Here are some quick tips:
✅ Dress in white to experience the colors.
✅ Cover your camera and phone against color and water.
✅ Be an early bird to have the best of it.
✅ Expect huge crowds and tonnes of fun!
Have you ever celebrated Holi in Vrindavan? Let us know in the comments 🎉💙
