If we visit some pages of Hindu Mythology, we will see how Lord Krishna, a resurrected form of Lord Vishnu, used to prank gopis and throw colours and water at them. The same excitement and playfulness are what Holi is all about! It gives us a perfect day where we can play with colours, share food with our friends and family members and dance to classic Holi songs. And how exciting will 2022’s Holi be if you get to celebrate at the very land where Lord Krishna was born! We are talking about the sacred city of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura! Mathura Holi festival 2022, like always, is going to be super fun and full of enthusiasm.
Also, here’s the thing! Mathura and its neighbours, Vrindavan, Gokul, Baldeo, Barsana and Nandgaon, all are very closely associated with Lord Krishna, his childhood and his leela! And are all ideal places in India to celebrate Holi. So, we will talk about the Holi celebrations of Mathura first. And then, we will also give you glimpses of the ways to celebrate Holi in its neighbouring areas.
Also, while you add these events to your Holi trip to Mathura, remember, to book a flight to Agra, since there is no airport in Mathura and then travel to Mathura from Agra via road.
This is how we will suggest you plan a Mathura Holi tour. Keep Mathura as your base camp and travel to its neighbouring areas to attend their famous events. Let’s start at the base camp then! As per the Hindu Calendar, there are going to be 9-day long Holi festivities. Day 7 and 8 are the two days to be celebrated in Mathura. Here are the details!
Legends say King Hiranyakashyap wanted to take his son, Prahlad’s life for being an ardent follower of Lord Vishnu. The king gave this task to his sister, Holika. She was blessed with such a power that made her resistant to fire. So, she planned to burn Prahlad. But destiny had something else planned as Prahlad was saved and she burnt! This is a story of good’s victory over evil and this is what Holika Dahan is about. This ritual is celebrated all over India. Mathura too celebrates Holika Dahan in its own way. A large fire is built near the Holi Gate. People gather around the fire and perform religious rituals.
As the title gives away, there are two Holi events in Mathura on day 1. Holika Dahan is actually the one organised after the sunset. The other one is a large Holi procession, held at noon, around 3 pm and continues till the sunset. The procession starts at Vishrama Ghat and ends at the Holi Gate. Vehicles are decorated with flowers, kids dress up as Radha and Krishna and everyone walks along the procession, singing and dancing! We suggest, you reach the Vishrama Ghat around noon and then come to the Holi Gate with the procession. Then, have some snacks and see the Holika Dahan.
The main celebrations of Holi begin! Naming the best place to celebrate Holi in Mathura is not easy. Because the Holi celebrations near the Holi Gate and its surrounding areas as well as the celebrations at the Dwarkadish Temple are equally enjoyable. In both places, you can play with colours, dance to the beats of traditional drums and have a fun time. We won’t call favourites but for the best bhang and gujiyas, you must visit the Dwarkdish Temple. Actually, do this! Celebrations start at the temple quite early. So, visit the temple first and then go to the Holi Gate.
Mathura’s 2-day long celebrations are, as we said, day 7 and 8 of the whole 2022’s Holi schedule. For the rest of the 7 days, the celebrations continue with the same zeal!
Laddoo Holi? It is what it sounds! Instead of colours, people throw laddoo (the famous Indian sweet) at each other. This event marks day 1 of Holi and is held at the Radha Rani Temple. Coming to day 2’s Lathmar Holi, again, it is what it sounds. Women playfully beat men with lath (sticks). This ritual also originates from the story of Lord Krishna’s childhood! Krishna, with his friends, went to Barsana to meet Radha and there, Radha and her gopis chased Krishna and his friends with sticks!
If you have missed the Lathmar Holi in Barsana somehow or would like to see it again (it is so much fun after all), visit Nandgaon on day 3. Here the celebrations start in the evening.
Both of these are among the most popular festivals in India. Phool means flowers. On day 4, devotees gather at the Banke Bihari Temple and they are showered with flowers. And day 5 is absolutely a noble and much-needed event. You know how widows are not allowed to wear colourful clothes or are simply restricted to use white. The widow’s Holi breaks that stereotype by allowing widows to play with colours. To see and be part of that event, make your way to the Gopinath Temple.
No, we didn’t forget day 5 and how can we when Gokul has something so exciting, a fun version of the Lathmar Holi. Yes, another chance to see women jokingly hitting men with chadi (sticks) at the Gokul Dham!
Don’t get upset as the 9-day long March festivals in India come to an end. Because you will get to end your Holi trip on a fantastic note! Huranga Holi is also similar to the Lathmar Holi (yes, another chance to see Lathmar). But there is more than women beating men with sticks. Along with that, women also playfully tear off men’s clothes!
You probably are all excited to plan a trip to Mathura this Holi. Keep up the excitement as you plan the trip and then, have a fun, colourful and safe Holi!
