This year Holi will be celebrated in India on 8th March. There are only two days of celebration in most parts of India: 7 March for Holika Dahan and 8 March for the fighting of colours. The Braj region of Uttar Pradesh (Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Nandgaon, Govardhan and Gokul), however, celebrates Holi a week earlier than the rest of the country as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. The festival will run from March 1 to March 9 in 2023 for a period of nine days.
The legend of Lord Krishna, the eighth manifestation of Vishnu, and his beloved Radha is the source of the Holi colour-flying tradition. His native city was Braj in Uttar Pradesh. The residents of this region celebrate Holi with great enthusiasm and extravagance, including the famous Lathmar Holi (Stick Holi). Barsana and Nandgaon are the places where Lathmar Holi celebrations are most common.
February 27, 2023, Laddu Holi (Holi of sweets) in Barsana.
During the Laddu Holi celebrations, participants literally throw laddus at each other.
Barsana will host Lathmar Holi (Stick Holi) on 28 February 2023.
Lath means stick and mar means to beat. This is the most famous festival in Braj, Uttar Pradesh, the only place in the world where you can participate in this unusual activity.
1 March 2023, Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon
Holi celebrations start at 4:30-5 pm on the third day and are similar to the second day in Barsara. The difference is that on the third day, the men of Barsara come to Nandgaon to throw colors on the women. Next, women in Nandgaon exact revenge on men who are chased (and beaten up) with sticks in their village for the second day.
Phoolwali Holi (Holi of Flowers) will be celebrated in Vrindavan and Mathura on March 3, 2023
About 10 miles (about 15 kilometers) separate Mathura and Vrindavan.
Day 4 has two important opportunities. One is the festival of Holi in Mathura, also known as Phoolwali Holi (also known as Holi of Flowers), while the other is in Vrindavan.
Phoolwali Holi in Vrindavan is mostly about flowers. It is celebrated at the famous and renowned Banke Bihari Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Stick hitting Holi will be held in Gokul on March 4, 2023
Mathura is located at a distance of about 15 kilometers (10 mi) from Gokul. According to legend, Krishna spent his early years in Gokul, where he is regarded as a child during festivals. In Gokul, you can find his idols on jhoolas (bench swings).
March 4, 2023: Vrindavan celebrates Widow Holi
Only in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India do widows celebrate Holi. You can attend the events at Gopinath Temple in the afternoon.
March 7, 2023 Holika Dahan (Effigy Burning) in Mathura.
The national festival of Holika Dahan is organized to honor the victory of good over evil. The ritual is performed at the Holy Gate of Mathura. An effigy of the demon Holika is burnt on a large bonfire as the centerpiece of Holika Dahan to represent the destruction of evil. This happens after sunset.