- Barsana - The India Explorer

Braj ki Holi 2024 is coming up in full vigour and zest. This amazing festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Braj (Gokul, Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsana) of Uttar Pradesh. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the dates, locations, and unique types of Holi celebrated in the birthplace of Radha and Krishna, which is Braj! Braj ki Holi 2024 – The Greatest Holi Festival in India Holi, the bright festival of colours, is celebrated with zeal and excitement throughout India, signalling the start of spring. Braj Ki Holi 2024 separates it from other regional holidays due to its distinct customs and cultural significance. Braj, a region in Uttar Pradesh, is thought to be Lord Krishna's birthplace, and Holi is very important here. Braj Ki Holi is celebrated with unmatched zeal and dedication. The festivities start weeks in advance, with numerous rites and activities. One of the highlights is the Lathmar Holi, in which women beat males with sticks to symbolise Lord Krishna's playful taunting of the gopis (cowherd girls). The air is filled with the vivid colours of gulal (coloured powder) as people sing and dance to traditional Holi songs. The celebrations also involve temple processions in which Radha and Krishna statues are decorated with flowers and colours. People gather to smear one another with colours, forgetting their differences and celebrating the spirit of togetherness and joy. Traditional sweets like gujiya and thandai are enjoyed, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Braj Ki Holi is more than simply a celebration; it is a cultural spectacle that brings people together, honours Radha and Krishna's eternal love, and promotes joy and harmony across society. The Unique Types of Holi Played in Braj! From Barsana’s famous lathmaar Holi to the sophisticated phoolonwaali Holi in Vrindavan, every Holi is celebrated with different traditions. Let’s take a look! 1. Lathmaar Holi, Barsana – The Most Famous Holi in India Braj Ki Holi, which is associated with the fabled narrative of the holy pair Radha and Krishna, tries to reenact this myth. According to legend, Lord Krishna, the son-in-law of Vrishabhanu and a native of Nandgaon, attempted to playfully douse his beloved Radha and her friends with colours. However, when Krishna and his friends entered Barsana, they were met with a fierce defence by Radha and her pals, who gleefully swung sticks to keep them at bay. This lighthearted confrontation has since become a beloved tradition, with the men of Nandgaon, representing Krishna, visiting Barsana every year on Holi to be greeted with colours and sticks, symbolising the humorous interaction between the two villages. Hence, the name ‘Lathmaar Holi’ where ‘lath’ means stick and ‘maar’ means to hit. The ceremony proceeds with humour and friendliness, demonstrating the friendly interplay between the men of Nandgaon and the ladies of Barsana. 2. Barsana Laddu Holi – A Unique Tradition The practice of "Laddu Mar Holi" in Barsana dates back to ancient times and involves tossing laddus, a sweet prasad, during pre-Holi festivities. According to folklore, Krishna's father from Nandgaon accepted Barsana's offer to play Holi with great enthusiasm. After receiving the invitation, a priest was sent to Barsana, where he was greeted and honoured. During his visit, the mischievous Gopis tossed colours at him, causing the priest to break and throw laddus in response, therefore establishing the practice. Today, this practice is carried out by an ambassador, or "Panda," who invites people from Nandgaon and welcomes them with laddoos and colours when they return. The exchange of invites and acceptance marks the start of Laddu Holi, accompanied by the chanting of Radha and Krishna chants and the jubilant flinging of laddus. 3. Gokul’s Chhadi Maar Holi – The Sister of Lathmaar Holi Gokul, located around 12 km from Mathura, is significant as the boyhood home of Lord Krishna. During Holi, youngsters dressed as Krishna and Radha parade from the Gokul Dham Temple to a designated site. They are honoured with flowers and colours. Women then partake in a lighthearted rite known as "Chhadi Maar Holi," in which they tap men with thin sticks known as Chhadi. The procession usually starts around midday and lasts an hour and a half before reaching the site for the lively Chhadi Maar Holi celebrations. This ritual not only honours Lord Krishna's lively energy as a kid, but it also encourages joy and camaraderie throughout the community. 4. Phoolwalon Ki Holi Vrindavan 2024 – Petals All Over! image credit: indianews.in "Phoolon wali Holi," also known as the "Holi of Flowers," is a unique event in which colourful flower petals replace traditional dry and wet colours. This custom, which has its origins in the stories of Lord Krishna and Radha, perfectly captures their lighthearted love. Notably, it promotes a more tranquil, ecologically conscious Holi, emphasising the beauty of nature and promoting harmony and renewal. In addition to celebrating the eternal love between Krishna and Radha, this flower celebration highlights the value of protecting our natural environment and promoting harmony and rejuvenation among communities. 5. Dauji Ka Huranga Holi – Mathura Holi Huranga Holi is a unique custom celebrated in Mathura's Dauji Temple when women teasingly rob males of their shirts and beat them with sticks. This ancient, folkloric rite honours Lord Krishna's lighthearted repartee with the women of Barsana. This animated conversation, which represents Krishna's joyful encounters with the gopis, brings a dynamic and colourful aspect to the festival's celebrations. Huranga Holi is a celebration in which people act out the humorous aspects of Krishna's adventures while also celebrating joyful companionship and a sense of togetherness and good cheer among the populace. 6. Widow’s Holi The moving custom known as "Widow's Holi," or the "Holi of the Widows," is celebrated in Vrindavan as part of Braj Ki Holi 2024. Widows, who are frequently ostracised by society, bravely violate societal rules to take part in the festival of colours in this deeply emotional ritual. Their ardent Holi celebrations signify a significant restoration of joy and dignity in their lives, not only the victory of love over sadness. By participating in this passionate celebration, these ladies contest the stigma associated with widowhood and stand up for their right to happiness and community. This custom serves as a moving reminder of the continuing spirit of human resilience and the shared search for happiness and belonging, in addition to honouring the tenacity of these ladies. Braj Ki Holi 2024 – Dates and Schedule This is the list of all styles of Holi to be played in Braj, including their dates and locations! Barsana Laddu Holi 2024 Sriji Temple Barsana - 17 March 2024, Sunday Barsana Lathmar Holi 2024 ( Main Holi Barsana ) - 18 March 2024, Monday Nandgaon Holi 2024 Lathmar Holi in Nand Bhawan - 19 March 2024, Tuesday Vrindavan Holi 2024 Phoolwalon Ki Holi Bankey Bihari Temple, Rangbhari Ekadashi Holi in Vrindavan - 20 March 2024, Wednesday Mathura Holi 2024 Special Event at Birthplace of Lord Krishna Temple and all over Mathura - 20 March 2024, Wednesday Gokul Holi 2024 Gokul Holi and Raman Reti Visit - 21 March 2024, Thursday Holika Dahan 2024 Dwarkadhish Temple Dola and Mathura Vishram Ghat, Banke Bihari Vrindavan - 24 March 2024, Sunday Conclusion Take a trip to the birthplace of Lord Krishna and get coloured in for Braj Ki Holi 2024 this year! It is guaranteed to be a fun trip full of energy and excitement!