-
Day 1 - Mathura : Welcome to Mathura - the Land of Holi Celebrations
After overnight train from any part of India can get you to Mathura City. It is well connected with other parts of Country. Arrive at Mathura in the morning and head to refresh yourselves at an Hotel/ashram. Once you take some rest at the Hotel/ashram, you will move to see the craziest Holi celebration at noon. You will have your lunch on the way and head to Barsana, a small village around Mathura. Here you will celebrate Holi with Laddu (Sweet Balls), red color and some Energetic music. Then you will have your overnight stay at Mathura.
-
Day 2- Mathura : Women hitting Men: The Lathmaar Holi
After breakfast, you will move to Barsana - Radha’s village. Here you will Witness the Lathmaar Holi.
What is a Lathmaar Holi -
As per the mythology, Radha was a devout Lover of the lord Krishna. Despite being the lord, Krishna used to surrender to the wishes of Radha, take out time and dance to the tunes of love alongside his devotee and lover Radha. This signifies that a women could even make God dance to her tunes.
In Barsana, people celebrate this power of women. Though, they do it in a unique manner.
Women take up sticks and beat their men, though in a friendly manner. Men on the other hand, carry around the shields to save themselves from being hit by these sticks. It is an amazing sight where hundreds of men are being beaten by hundreds of women. We bet it will leave you in splits of laughter.
The entire city is filled with Colours. You will also get to enjoy interesting local food on the way. In the evening, you will be visiting Vishram Ghat. Here, you will visit some important shrines of Mathura. Then you will have your overnight stay at Mathura.
-
Day 3 - Nandgaon Holi : Lathmar Holi in Nand Bhawa
On arrival at Mathura Railway Station take transfer to Mathura Hotel. On arrival check into the hotel after that visit Nandgaon.This is the village where Lord Krishna was brought up.
Nandgaon is the place in Uttar Pradesh where Lord Krishna was brought up by his foster parents. People say that his presence can still be felt throughout this place. This place is very close to Mathura and Vrindavan, and it is considered to be one of the most religious sites for Hindus. Every Krishna Devotee pays a visit in his lifetime to this place.
You will see something different from the holi celebrations which you saw earlier. Here, people will be seen dancing, enjoying and making a typical kind of sound. They make this sound by placing the back of their hands on their mouths. You will move to Mathura for lunch, and then your amazing journey ends here. You will board your train for your journey ahead.
-
Day 4- Mathura - Vrindavan Holi : Special Event at Krishna Temple and Phoolwalon Ki Holi Bankey Bihari Temple & Rangbharni Holi
Vrindavan -
Rangbharni Ekadashi signals the advent of the great day And naturally it is celebrated with much fervor and excitement in one of the oldest and world famous temples of Vrindavan the Banke Bihari Temple. The natives and Shri Krishna followers assemble there and play with colors. It is a beautiful demonstration of the feeling of love, brotherhood and happiness! The brightness, colors and joy is a sight to see!
Mathura
The Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, the main temple in Mathura hosts a grand holi celebration. It holds the honor of being the place where Shri Krishna was born in a cell to Devaki Maa and Nand baba. Devotees from all round the world gather in huge numbers and pay respects to Shri Krishna and Radhaji and play Holi together! They also indulge in the Lathmaar Holi on this occasion. Women take out their bamboo sticks and attack the men in a light hearted game. The air is filled with colors, colors and colors all around! A cultural program is also organized to mark the event. There is also a big celebration held at the famous Shri Dwarka Dhish Temple at Mathura. So do visit Mathura and fill your heart with the enduring colors of happiness!
-
Day 5 - Gokul Holi : Gokul Holi and Raman Reti Visit
After breakfast at hotel complete your checkout formalities then proceed towards Dauji Temple on arrival enjoy the holi celebration in Dauji temple, & Gokul temple.
-
Day 6- Same Day Agra
After early morning breakfast proceed for Agra Sightseeing like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Shikandra later in the evening take your transfer to Mathura Hotel.
-
Day 7 - Holika Dahan ( Holi Fire) : Dwarkadhish Temple Dola and Mathura Vishram Ghat
The time has come for Holika Dahan! A pyre is prepared on the eve of the Holi festival symbolizing the burning of evil (Holika). The legend goes that her brother 'Hiranya Kashyap' was immensely angry with his son Prahlad and asked the evil minded Holika to take him in her lap and sit in the fire as she had a boon to stay unaffected by fire! But 'Prahlad', a Vishnu devotee was saved and 'Holika' got burnt instead this win of goodness over evil is celebrated by burning this pyre and taking a round of it. It is celebrated with much fanfare in Mathura and the whole 'Braj Bhoomi'. It is also time for family reunions and people worship together and share the joy of love and brotherhood.
-
Day 8 - Dhulandi Holi : Dwarkadheesh Tesu Flowers / Abir Gulal Holi and Colorful Water Holi in Brij
Ye! Here we are The big Day - Holi Dhulandi represents Color play! The whole Braj area gets united to celebrate Holi! Red, Green, Blue, Pink and Purple, the air is filled with the colors of happiness, joy, love and brotherhood! The people throw rich colors 'Abir' 'Gulal' at each other and immerse them in a splash of colors with color guns! The chants of Happy Holi and Holi songs can be heard in the streets and Holi Tolis (group) are seen in a mischievous mood. No differences, no distance just fun and good cheer everywhere. Really, the Braj Holi is just the best and it is not for nothing that it is famous around the world! Come, be a part of the Holi celebrations and take the Braj Bhoomi, home!
