5-Days Grand Holi Festival – Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana & Nandgaon

Itinerary : 5-Days Grand Holi Festival Tour

Day 1 : Arrival in Mathura

Upon arrival in Mathura, we begin the tour with a visit to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, the sacred birthplace of Lord Krishna. This spiritual journey continues with a visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple, known for its vibrant Holi preparations. As we walk through the bustling Vishram Ghat, the air is filled with excitement as locals prepare for the grand festival. Later, we explore the Birla Temple and Gita Mandir, both offering a peaceful escape from the festive chaos. In the evening, we witness the mesmerizing Yamuna Aarti at the ghats before heading to our hotel in Mathura for an overnight stay.

Day 2 : Phoolon Ki Holi & Vrindavan’s Divine Festivities

After breakfast, we head to Vrindavan, where the spectacular Phoolon Ki Holi is celebrated at the Banke Bihari Temple. This unique celebration involves showering flower petals instead of colors, creating a mesmerizing and spiritual atmosphere. The divine energy intensifies as devotees sing and dance to Krishna bhajans. We then visit the ISKCON Temple, where Holi is celebrated with devotional kirtans and chants.

In the afternoon, we explore the Prem Mandir, an architectural marvel dedicated to Krishna and Radha, beautifully illuminated in the evening. Later, we visit the Radha Vallabh Temple, where Holi is played with sandalwood powder, offering a unique alternative to color-throwing. We conclude the day with a leisurely stroll through Vrindavan’s vibrant streets before heading back to our hotel for a restful night.

Day 3 : Lathmar Holi in Barsana – A Grand Play of Colors & Traditions

After an early breakfast, we travel to Barsana, Radha’s village, where the famous Lathmar Holi is played. In this traditional festivity, the women of Barsana playfully beat the men from Nandgaon with sticks (lathis), while the men attempt to shield themselves. The event takes place in Rangili Gali, where the air is filled with colored powder (gulal), folk songs, and devotional chants.

We visit the Radha Rani Temple, the only temple dedicated to Radha, and enjoy local delicacies like Thandai, Gujiya, and Makhan Mishri. The streets of Barsana come alive with cultural performances, creating an unforgettable experience. By evening, we explore the Shri Ji Mandir, a sacred site linked to Radha-Krishna, before returning to our hotel in Mathura for the night.

Day 4 : Nandgaon Holi – Krishna’s Village Celebration

On the fourth day, after breakfast, we head to Nandgaon, Krishna’s village, where the men from Barsana visit to play Holi with the women of Nandgaon. This is the mirror image of Barsana’s Lathmar Holi, where the villagers of Nandgaon take their turn to celebrate with colors, music, and dance. The entire village is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors as people sing bhajans and chant Krishna’s name.

We visit Nand Bhavan, the childhood home of Lord Krishna, and immerse ourselves in the local festivities. After lunch, we return to Mathura, making an optional stop at Gokul, where young Krishna was raised. Here, we visit the Gokul Temple and learn more about Krishna’s early life. By evening, we return to the hotel for a relaxed evening.

Day 5 : Govardhan Parikrama & Departure

On the final day, after breakfast, we embark on a spiritual journey to Govardhan, a sacred hill associated with Lord Krishna. We perform the Govardhan Parikrama, a symbolic circumambulation around the holy hill, stopping at key sites like Govardhan Temple, Radha Kund, and Kusum Sarovar. Devotees believe that walking around the hill brings blessings and spiritual fulfillment.

Afterward, we enjoy a local meal before returning to Mathura. If time permits, we explore some last-minute Holi markets before heading to the Mathura Railway Station or Airport for departure. We conclude our grand 5-day Holi tour with unforgettable memories of vibrant colors, divine celebrations, and cultural experiences.