Laddu Holi Barsana 2027: Date, the Temple and How to Plan
Laddu Holi at Barsana in 2027 is on Monday, 15 March 2027, at the historic Shri Radha Rani temple, the Shriji temple, in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh. It is the sweet Holi that opens the week-long Holi festivities of Braj: when the Holi invitation from Nandgaon, Krishna's town, is accepted at Barsana, Radha's town, the joy is celebrated by the priests and devotees joyfully tossing sweet laddus and singing traditional bhajans in the temple courtyard. It is the day before the famous Lathmar Holi at Barsana, on 16 March. It is free, a public temple celebration, and draws large crowds, so plan ahead, go with a Braj local, and watch from a safe spot.
Barsana Laddu Holi 2027: event details
Detail | Information |
Event | Barsana Laddu Holi |
Date | Monday, 15 March 2027 |
Venue | Shri Radha Rani temple (Shriji temple), Barsana, Uttar Pradesh |
What it marks | The tra ditional opening of the week-long Braj Holi festivities |
Cost | Free (a public temple celebration; large crowds expected) |
The day after | Lathmar Holi at Barsana, 16 March 2027 |
Laddu Holi Barsana 2027: the date
Laddu Holi at Barsana in 2027 is on Monday, 15 March, at the historic Shri Radha Rani temple in Barsana, the day before the famous Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March. It is the sweet Holi that marks the traditional opening of the week-long Holi festivities of Braj, celebrated with a joyful shower of laddus and traditional bhajans in the temple courtyard. It begins the great forty-day Holi season of Braj, so a Holi journey to Braj is best understood as a festival across several towns and days, not one afternoon. To be at Barsana for the Laddu Holi and the Lathmar Holi that follows, with a Braj guide who knows the safe places to watch, a mathura vrindavan tour with Experience My India can plan it.
From the ground (Gurudutt): Laddu Holi is where the whole Braj Holi begins and it is a beautiful thing; the invitation comes from Nandgaon, we accept it at Kishori Ji's temple and then the laddus fly, sweets and colour showering over everyone, with the bhajans ringing. It is a little gentler than the Lathmar Holi the next day and many of my guests love to come a day early for it. It is my own land and I host guests every year, so come on the 15th of March and begin your Holi with the sweet one. Radhe Radhe.
What is Laddu Holi?
Laddu Holi, the Holi of sweets, is the joyful opening of the Braj Holi, kept at the Radha Rani temple of Barsana:
The acceptance of the invitation. By tradition, the invitation to play the Holi is brought from Nandgaon, Krishna's town, to Barsana, Radha's town; when it is joyfully accepted at the Radha Rani temple and the invitation for the Lathmar Holi sent back, the happy occasion is celebrated with Laddu Holi.
The shower of sweets. In celebration, the priests and devotees joyfully toss and shower sweet laddus over the crowd in the temple courtyard, in a rain of sweets and colour, while traditional bhajans and the samaj-gayan singing ring out; it is a beautiful, joyful scene.
The opening of the Braj Holi. Laddu Holi marks the true, traditional opening of the week-long Holi festivities of Braj; it is a little gentler than the Lathmar Holi that follows the next day, but full of delight and it begins the greatest Holi season in India.
For the twin towns of Radha and Krishna whose exchange it celebrates, see our barsana vs nandgaon guide and the radha rani aarti lyrics of the temple.
The Radha Rani temple, the venue
Laddu Holi is held at the great Radha Rani temple, the heart of Barsana:
The Shriji temple on the hill. The Radha Rani temple, the Shriji temple, crowns the hill of Barsana, Radha's own town in the west of Braj, reached by a climb of steps or a palki; there Radha, as Kishori Ji, is the presiding deity and it is the great centre of Radha devotion.
The courtyard of the Laddu Holi. It is in the temple and its courtyards, high on the hill, that the Laddu Holi is celebrated, the laddus showered and the bhajans sung; the setting, on Radha's hill above the plains of Braj, makes it especially beautiful.
Dear all year, dearest at Holi and Radhashtami. The Radha Rani temple is dear all year and dearest of all at the Holi and at Radhashtami, Radha's appearance day; for the Laddu Holi, it fills with devotees for the joyful opening of the Braj Holi.
See our radha rani temple barsana page for the temple and its darshan.
Laddu Holi and the Lathmar Holi that follows
Laddu Holi is the first of the great Barsana Holi days, followed by the famous Lathmar Holi. In 2027, the sequence is:
Laddu Holi at Barsana, 15 March. The sweet Holi, the joyful acceptance of the invitation and the shower of laddus at the Radha Rani temple; the opening of the Braj Holi.
Lathmar Holi at Barsana, 16 March. The famous stick Holi, when the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana and the women of Barsana drive them off with lath; the great, most famous day.
Lathmar Holi at Nandgaon, 17 March. The return of the play at Krishna's town, when the men of Barsana go to Nandgaon and its women return the play.
The Braj Holi 2027 calendar
Laddu Holi opens weeks of Holi celebration across Braj. The main events of the 2027 Braj Holi journey:
Laddu Holi at Barsana, 15 March. The sweet Holi, the opening, when laddus are showered at the Radha Rani temple.
Lathmar Holi at Barsana, 16 March. The famous stick Holi, when the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana.
Lathmar Holi at Nandgaon, 17 March. The return of the play at Krishna's town, the day after Barsana.
Phoolon ki Holi at Vrindavan. The beautiful flower Holi, above all at the Banke Bihari temple, where the priests shower the crowd with flower petals; a gentler, exquisite Holi.
Holika Dahan and the main Holi. Holika Dahan on 21 March and the great Rangwali Holi, the main day of colour, on 22 March 2027, across Braj and all India; and the Dauji Huranga at nearby Baldeo just after, around 23 March.
How to experience Laddu Holi safely
Laddu Holi is joyful but very crowded, high on the temple hill, so plan for it with care:
Watch from a safe spot. The temple courtyard, where the laddus are showered and the crowd is thickest, gets very crowded and intense; watch from a safe spot, an edge or a place your guide knows, rather than the heart of the crush, especially with family, children or elders.
Mind the climb. The Radha Rani temple crowns the hill, reached by a climb of steps or a palki, which is busy at Holi; wear comfortable shoes, carry water, go early and take your time on the climb, especially with elders.
Go with a local and protect your things. Go with a Braj local who knows the day, the safe spots and the way up and down; wear old clothes you do not mind colouring, protect your eyes and skin and keep phones and valuables in a sealed bag.
How to reach Barsana and plan your trip
Barsana lies in the west of Braj and a Holi trip takes planning:
Reaching Barsana. Barsana is about 45 to 50 km from Vrindavan and Mathura, about an hour and a half by road; at Holi the roads are very busy and often closed near the town, so plan transport and arrival carefully and start early. The Radha Rani temple crowns the hill, reached by a climb or a palki.
Where to base. Most travellers base themselves in Vrindavan or Mathura and make day trips to Barsana for the Laddu Holi on the 15th and the Lathmar Holi on the 16th and Nandgaon on the 17th; book stays very early, for Holi is the busiest season in Braj.
See the sequence. Many travellers come a day early for the Laddu Holi on the 15th and stay for the Lathmar Holi on the 16th and Nandgaon on the 17th; allow at least three or four days for the whole Braj Holi.
Best tips for Laddu Holi
Note the sequence: Laddu Holi at Barsana on 15 March, Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and Lathmar Holi at Nandgaon on 17 March 2027; come a day early for the sweet Holi.
Laddu Holi is at the Radha Rani temple on the hill, so wear comfortable shoes for the climb, carry water and go early.
Book your stay in Vrindavan or Mathura very early; Holi is the busiest season in Braj and rooms fill months ahead.
Go with a Braj local who knows the safe places to watch and the road closures; it makes the difference between chaos and joy.
Wear old clothes, protect your eyes, skin and hair, keep valuables in a sealed bag and watch from a safe spot, especially with family.
We host guests for the Barsana Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi and the whole Braj Holi every year and can plan and guide your 2027 trip, with a comfortable vehicle, the climb or palki arranged, the safe places to watch and a Braj-born host who welcomes you as family. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free and we arrange bespoke Holi trips too. The braj 84 kos yatra covers the whole of Braj, our mathura vrindavan tour the twin cities and our vrindavan tour package Vrindavan in a day; the prem mandir vrindavan and the braj yamuna ghats and leela sites are dear year-round. Message me on WhatsApp at +91-9998315825 to plan your Holi and book early, as Holi fills fast.
Related guides
Bigger Group? Get special offersup to 50% Off!
Experience Mathura & Vrindavan with your group.
Get A Callback
Questions Pilgrims Ask Before Visiting
Every answer is based on Gurudutt's on-ground experience guiding 50,000+ pilgrims through Mathura & Vrindavan since 2015
Where is Laddu Holi held in Barsana?
Laddu Holi is held at the Shri Radha Rani temple, the Shriji temple, which crowns the hill of Barsana, Radha's town in the west of Braj, about 45 to 50 km from Vrindavan and Mathura. The laddus are showered and the bhajans sung in the temple and its courtyards, high on Radha's hill, reached by a climb of steps or a palki; it is the great centre of Radha devotion and the venue of the joyful opening of the Braj Holi.
Is there an entry fee for Laddu Holi?
No; Laddu Holi is free, a public temple celebration at the Radha Rani temple, open to all who come with devotion and respect. There is no ticket or entry fee, though large crowds are expected. What you may wish to arrange is a car and a Braj guide, who knows the day, the road closures and the safe places to watch and the climb to the hilltop temple; these make the free festival far easier and safer to enjoy, especially with family.
What is Laddu Holi?
Laddu Holi, the Holi of sweets, is the joyful opening of the Braj Holi. When the invitation to play the Holi is brought from Nandgaon, Krishna's town, to Barsana, Radha's town and joyfully accepted at the Radha Rani temple, the priests and devotees celebrate by tossing and showering sweet laddus over the crowd in the temple courtyard, singing traditional bhajans; it marks the traditional opening of the week-long Holi festivities of Braj.
When is Laddu Holi in Barsana in 2027?
Laddu Holi at Barsana in 2027 is on Monday, 15 March, at the historic Shri Radha Rani temple, the Shriji temple, in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh. It is the sweet Holi that opens the week-long Braj Holi festivities, the day before the famous Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March. It is a free public temple celebration and draws large crowds, so plan ahead and go with a Braj local who knows the safe places to watch
Why is Laddu Holi celebrated at Barsana?
Laddu Holi celebrates the acceptance of the Holi invitation at Barsana. By tradition, the invitation to play the Holi is brought from Nandgaon, Krishna's town, to Barsana, Radha's town; when it is joyfully accepted at the Radha Rani temple and the invitation for the Lathmar Holi sent back to Nandgaon, the happy occasion is celebrated with a shower of laddus and bhajans, opening the week-long Braj Holi.
Is Laddu Holi before Lathmar Holi?
Yes; Laddu Holi is the day before the Lathmar Holi at Barsana. In 2027, Laddu Holi is on 15 March, the Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and the Lathmar Holi at Nandgaon on 17 March. Laddu Holi is the sweet opening of the Braj Holi, the joyful acceptance of the invitation; the Lathmar Holi, the famous stick Holi, follows the next day, so many pilgrims come a day early for the Laddu Holi.
When is the Barsana Lathmar Holi 2027?
The Barsana Lathmar Holi in 2027 is on Tuesday, 16 March, the day after Laddu Holi on 15 March; and the Nandgaon Lathmar Holi is on 17 March. So the sequence is Laddu Holi at Barsana on 15 March, Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and Lathmar Holi at Nandgaon on 17 March. Many travellers see all three; the main Holi is on 22 March 2027.
What happens at Laddu Holi?
At Laddu Holi, held at the Radha Rani temple of Barsana, the priests and devotees joyfully toss and shower sweet laddus over the crowd in the temple courtyard, in a rain of sweets and colour, while traditional bhajans and the samaj-gayan singing ring out. It celebrates the acceptance of the Holi invitation from Nandgaon and marks the joyful opening of the week-long Braj Holi; it is a little gentler than the Lathmar Holi that follows.
Can I see both Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi?
Yes and many do; come a day early for the Laddu Holi at Barsana on 15 March, stay for the Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and the Nandgaon Lathmar Holi on 17 March. Base in Vrindavan or Mathura and let a Braj guide plan the days, the safe places to watch and the road closures; add the flower Holi at Vrindavan for the full Braj Holi. Allow at least three or four days.
Is Laddu Holi safe and how do I watch it safely?
Laddu Holi is joyful but very crowded, high on the temple hill, so watch from a safe spot, an edge or a place your guide knows, rather than the heart of the courtyard crush, especially with family, children or elders. Mind the climb of steps or take a palki, go early and go with a Braj local who knows the day and the safe spots; wear old clothes and keep valuables sealed. Planned well, it is safe and joyful.
How do I reach Barsana for Laddu Holi?
Barsana lies about 45 to 50 km from Vrindavan and Mathura, about an hour and a half by road, in the west of Braj; at Holi the roads are very busy and often closed near the town, so plan transport and arrival carefully and start early. Most travellers base in Vrindavan or Mathura and day-trip to Barsana; the Radha Rani temple crowns the hill, reached by a climb or a palki, so a car and a Braj guide make the trip and the climb far easier.
What is the Shri Radha Rani temple where Laddu Holi is held?
The Shri Radha Rani temple, the Shriji temple, is the great temple of Radha Rani that crowns the hill of Barsana, her own town in the west of Braj; there Radha, as Kishori Ji, is the presiding deity and it is the heart of Radha devotion. It is reached by a climb of steps or a palki and it is the venue of the Laddu Holi and the Lathmar Holi and dearest of all at Holi and at Radhashtami.
What else can I see during Braj Holi 2027?
Much more than the Barsana Holi; the Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and Nandgaon on 17 March; the flower Holi, Phoolon ki Holi, at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, where the priests shower flower petals; the temple Holi at Mathura's Dwarkadhish and in Gokul; the Dauji Huranga at Baldeo; and the great Rangwali Holi on 22 March. The Braj Holi is a journey across many towns and days.
What should I wear and bring for Laddu Holi?
Wear old clothes you do not mind colouring and comfortable shoes for the climb to the hilltop temple; protect your eyes, skin and hair and keep phones, money and valuables in a sealed waterproof bag. Bring water, go early and be ready for laddus, colour and large crowds. Above all, watch from a safe spot and follow your local guide and the temple custom on the hill.
Barsana ki Laddu Holi 2027 kab hai?
Barsana ki Laddu Holi 2027 mein somwar, 15 March ko hai, Shri Radha Rani (Shriji) mandir mein, Barsana, Uttar Pradesh. Yeh Braj ki saptah-bhar Holi ka aarambh hai; jab Nandgaon se Holi ka nyauta Barsana mein sweekaar hota hai, to mandir prangan mein laddu barsaye jaate hain aur bhajan gaaye jaate hain. Yeh Lathmar Holi (16 March) se ek din pehle hai, aur nishulk hai. Bahut bheed hoti hai, isliye surakshit jagah se dekhein. Ise hum aadar ke saath prastut karte hain. Radhe Radhe.
Can you arrange a Laddu Holi or Braj Holi 2027 trip?
Yes; we host guests for the Barsana Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi and the whole Braj Holi every year and can plan and guide your 2027 trip, with a comfortable vehicle, the climb or palki arranged, the safe places to watch and a Braj-born host who welcomes you as family. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free and we arrange bespoke Holi trips too. Message us on WhatsApp at +91-9998315825 to plan your Holi and book early, as Holi fills fast.
Our Recommendation —Based on Your Situation Based on Your Situation
One Day : -
If you are: If you're short on time
Covers major Mathura and Vrindavan temples in one day
Two Day : -
If you are: If this is your first Braj visit
Relaxed darshan with overnight stay and key attractions
Three Day : -
If you are: If you want a complete Braj experience
Extra time for temples, aartis and spiritual exploration
Vrindavan + Mathura Temple Timings 2026 — Verified
Timings verified by Experience My India's local team — May 2026. Several temples close 3–4 hours in the afternoon. First-time visitors who arrive during closure windows miss darshan entirely.
Temple | Summer Morning | Summer Evening | Winter Morning | Winter Evening |
Banke Bihari Temple | 07:45 AM - 12:00 PM | 05:30 PM - 09:30 PM | 08:45 AM - 01:00 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM |
Prem Mandir | 07:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM | 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM |
ISKCON Krishna Balram | 04:10 AM - 12:45 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM | 04:10 AM - 12:45 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM |
Radha Raman Temple | 05:00 AM - 12:30 PM | 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM | 05:30 AM - 12:30 PM | 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Sri Rangji Mandir | 05:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM | 06:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Nidhivan Temple | 05:00 AM - 08:00 PM | Closed after sunset | 06:00 AM - 07:00 PM | Closed after sunset |
Krishna Janmasthan | 05:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 04:00 PM - 09:30 PM | 05:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 03:00 PM - 08:30 PM |
Dwarkadhish Temple | 06:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM | 06:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 03:30 PM - 06:00 PM |
Gita Mandir | 05:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM | 05:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 02:00 PM - 08:30 PM |
Vishram Ghat Aarti | Open 24 hrs | Aarti: 06:45 PM | Open 24 hrs | Aarti: 06:45 PM |
Comments