Immersed in rich history and mythology, Mathura and Vrindavan are the absolute best places to have the true Holi experience, one which you will remember for a lifetime. Festivities begin as early as two weeks before Holi in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Legends tell tales of how Lord Krishna and Radha's love blossomed in the suburbs of Mathura. In fact, Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon and Govardhan are collectively called 'Brajbhoomi', with various forms of Holi being celebrated here. Celebrate the festivities with LathmarHoli, Phoolon-WaliHoli, apart from the main event in Vrindavan.
"In Braj region celebration of Holi begins a week prior to
Holi festival and continues a week after Holi.
In 2020, Holi festival will be on 10th March. (Holika Dahan would be on 9th March 2020)
Long before water balloons and pichkaaris, Holi was only an idea- an idea that transpired to become one of the most amusing festivals of the world. Yes, Holi is the festival of colours. But what does colour symbolize here? We are never certain. But we always hope that colouring something gives life to it. And thereby, perhaps Holi is the celebration of life itself. Holi accolades life, love, its vitality, its passion. There are stories that date back the origin of Holi and recounts tales in mythology that trace the advent of our attempt at painting the human race more colourful. Maybe they are true, maybe they aren't. But the essence of colour compels us to shun our logical minds in the hope of a dreamy world full of rainbows.
Today the famous lath mar Holi is celebrated in Barsana. Here, men from Nandgaon, the land of Krishna come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana and hope of raising their flag over ShriRadhikaji's temple. But, instead of colours they are greeted with sticks by the gopis. Hence, this Holi gets its name – LathmaarHoli. Smart enough, men come fully padded as they are fully aware what kind of welcome awaits them and also the fact that they are not allowed to retaliate on that day. In this mock battle of sorts, they try their best not to be captured. The unlucky one's however, are forcefully led away and get a good thrashing from the women.