Mathura Vrindavan Holi 2027: Dates, the Full Braj Holi Calendar and How to Plan
Travel Guide · Travel Guides · Updated September 2026
The main Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan in 2027, the great Rangwali Holi or Dhulendi, the day of colour, is on Monday, 22 March 2027, with Holika Dahan, the sacred bonfire on the eve, on Sunday, 21 March 2027. But in Braj, the land of Krishna, Holi is not one day; it is a festival of over a week, with a different, unique Holi in each town, from the Laddu and Lathmar Holis at Barsana and Nandgaon, through the flower Holi at Vrindavan, to the great day of colour and the wild Dauji Huranga finale at Baldeo. This guide gives the full Braj Holi 2027 calendar, town by town, and how to plan and enjoy it safely; it is the most special Holi in India.
Mathura Vrindavan Holi 2027: the headline dates
Event | Date (2027) |
Braj Holi begins (Laddu Holi, Barsana) | Monday, 15 March 2027 |
Holika Dahan | Sunday, 21 March 2027 (evening) |
Main Holi (Rangwali Holi / Dhulendi) | Monday, 22 March 2027 |
Dauji Huranga finale (Baldeo) | Tuesday, 23 March 2027 |
The full Braj Holi 2027 calendar
The Braj Holi 2027 runs for over a week across the towns of Braj, with a unique Holi in each. Here is the full calendar, with our guide to each event:
Date | Event and place |
Mon, 15 Mar | Laddu Mar Holi at the Shriji temple, Barsana |
Tue, 16 Mar | Lathmar Holi at Barsana (the famous stick Holi) |
Wed, 17 Mar | |
Fri, 19 Mar | Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul; and the Widow's Holi at the Gopinath temple, Vrindavan |
Sat, 20 Mar | Phoolon Wali Holi (flower Holi) at Banke Bihari, Vrindavan (Rangbharni Ekadashi) |
Sun, 21 Mar | Dwarkadhish temple Holi, Mathura; and Holika Dahan across the region |
Mon, 22 Mar | Main Rangwali Holi / Dhulendi, the day of colour, across Mathura, Vrindavan and all Braj |
Tue, 23 Mar | Dauji Huranga at Baldeo (the wild finale) |
Each event above links to our full guide for that day. As a note, the exact dates of the village temple Holis are traditionally confirmed by the local temple trusts closer to the festival, so it is wise to reconfirm the temple dates as Holi nears; the main Holi on 22 March and Holika Dahan on 21 March are settled. To experience the whole Braj Holi, a mathura vrindavan tour with Experience My India can plan it.
From the ground (Gurudutt): People come to Braj thinking Holi is one day and they are amazed; here it is more than a week, a different Holi in every town, each with its own flavour, from the sticks of Barsana to the flowers of Banke Bihari to the wild Huranga at Baldeo. It is the most joyful, most beautiful, most special Holi in the world and it is my own land. I host guests for the whole of it every year. Come and give it the days it deserves and I will show you the true Holi of Krishna. Radhe Radhe.
Why the Braj Holi is so special
The Holi of Mathura, Vrindavan and Braj is unlike any other in India:
The Holi of Krishna's own land. Braj is the land where Krishna played the first Holi with Radha and the gopis, so here Holi is not just a festival of colour but the living play of Krishna's own leelas; every Holi in Braj re-enacts a part of his love and joy, which is why it is the most beloved Holi in India.
A different Holi in every town. Unlike elsewhere, where Holi is a day, in Braj it is over a week, with a unique Holi in each town, the stick Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon, the flower Holi at Vrindavan, the cane Holi at Gokul, the temple Holis and the wild Huranga at Baldeo, each with its own tradition and flavou
Devotion and joy together. In Braj, Holi is devotion and joy as one, kirtan and colour, the temples and the streets alive together; to keep Holi in Braj is to feel the festival at its source, in the land of the Lord who gave it its love.
The main Rangwali Holi and Holika Dahan
The heart of the festival, shared with all India, is Holika Dahan and the main Holi. Holika Dahan, the sacred bonfire on the eve, is on Sunday, 21 March 2027, when communities across Braj light the Holika at dusk and pray for the burning away of evil, in memory of the saving of the devotee Prahlad; see our holika dahan 2027 guide for the date, the muhurat and the story. Then the great Rangwali Holi, also called Dhulendi, the main day of colour, is on Monday, 22 March 2027, across Mathura, Vrindavan and all of Braj, when everyone plays with colours and water in joy. In Braj, though, the day of colour is only the shared centre of a much longer festival; the unique Braj Holis run for a week before and a day after.
The unique Holis of Braj, town by town
The glory of the Braj Holi is the unique celebration in each town. Our full guide to each:
Laddu Mar Holi at Barsana, on 15 March, the sweet Holi that opens the festival, when laddus are showered at the Radha Rani temple as the Holi invitation from Nandgaon is accepted.
Lathmar Holi at Barsana, on 16 March, the world-famous stick Holi, when the men of Nandgaon come to Radha's town and the women drive them off with lath and the return the next day at Nandgaon, on 17 March, at Krishna's town.
Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul, on 19 March, the gentle cane Holi of baby Krishna's town, with the Makhan-Mishri prasad; and on the same day, the moving Widow's Holi at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan, where the widows of the holy town joyfully play Holi with flowers and colour, a beautiful reclaiming of the festival's joy.
Phoolon Wali Holi at Vrindavan, on 20 March, on Rangbharni Ekadashi, the most beautiful of all, when the priests of the Banke Bihari temple shower the crowd with flower petals.
The Dwarkadhish temple Holi in Mathura, on 21 March, when the great dwarkadhish temple keeps a colourful, joyful Holi, a highlight of the Mathura Holi.
Dauji Huranga at Baldeo, on 23 March, the day after the main Holi, the wild grand finale at the temple of Dauji, Balarama, where the women tear the men's shirts and drench the crowd in colour.
Planning tips: booking, crowds and dates
The Braj Holi is joyful but demanding to plan for; here are the essentials:
Book early. Hotels and guest houses in Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana fill up two to three months in advance for the Holi, so book your stay very early; Holi is by far the busiest season in Braj.
Mind the crowds and your safety. Events such as the Phoolon Wali Holi at Banke Bihari and the Lathmar Holi at Barsana draw extreme crowds; arrive very early for the morning darshans, secure safer, less congested vantage points, put your safety first and take special care with children and the elderly. Go with a Braj local who knows the safe places.
Reconfirm the village temple dates. The exact dates of the village temple Holis are traditionally confirmed by the local temple trusts closer to the festival, so reconfirm the temple dates as Holi nears; the main Holi on 22 March and Holika Dahan on 21 March are settled, but the local programmes can be finalised near the time.
Holika Dahan in Braj and the Braj Holi 2027 calendar
As the Braj Holi runs for over a week, give it as many days as you can; four or five days lets you see the great events and the full week the whole festival. A suggested plan:
The Barsana and Nandgaon days (15 to 17 March). Come for the Laddu Holi and the Lathmar Holi at Barsana and the return at Nandgaon, the famous stick Holis at the heart of the Braj Holi.
The Gokul and Vrindavan days (19 to 20 March). See the gentle Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul and, above all, the exquisite Phoolon Wali Holi at Banke Bihari in Vrindavan, the most beautiful Holi of all.
The main Holi and the finale (21 to 23 March). Keep the Holika Dahan on the 21st, play the great Rangwali Holi on the 22nd across Mathura and Vrindavan and end with the wild Dauji Huranga at Baldeo on the 23rd.
Our mathura vrindavan tour itinerary helps you plan the days and the braj 84 kos yatra covers the whole of Braj.
How to reach Braj and where to base
Braj is easily reached and a Holi trip takes planning:
Reaching Braj. Mathura and Vrindavan are about 150 km from Delhi and about 60 km from Agra, well connected by road and rail; at Holi the roads and towns are very busy and cars are kept out of the old lanes, so plan transport carefully, take e-rickshaws for the temples and start early each day.
Where to base. Base yourself in Vrindavan or Mathura, central for the whole Braj Holi and make day trips to Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul and Baldeo for their Holis; book very early, as Holi fills months ahead. Some also base a night or two nearer Barsana for its Holi days.
Go with a Braj local. The Braj Holi is joyful but crowded and complex, spread across many towns and days, with road closures and precise timings; a Braj-born guide, who knows the days, the safe places and the way, makes the difference between chaos and joy.
See our how to commute in vrindavan guide for getting around Braj and the temples of banke bihari temple and radha rani temple barsana, dear year-round.
We host guests for the whole Braj Holi every year, from the Lathmar and flower Holis to the Holika Dahan, the day of colour and the Dauji Huranga finale, with a comfortable vehicle, 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 for the whole festival 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 Braj Holi and book early, as Holi fills fast.
Planning a Holi trip to Braj
To keep Holika Dahan and the great Holi in Braj is a beautiful thing:
When to come. Come for the Braj Holi days from around 15 March, through the Lathmar, Chhadi Mar and flower Holis, to the Holika Dahan on 21 March and the main Holi on 22 March; allow at least three or four days, base in Vrindavan or Mathura and book very early, for Holi is the busiest season in Braj.
Keep it safe and joyful. The Braj Holi is joyful but very crowded; go with a Braj local who knows the days, the safe places to watch and the road closures and keep your safety and your family's first, especially at the great temple Holis.
The whole of Braj. Beyond the Holi, Braj is dear year-round, its temples, ghats and leela places; a Holi trip is a beautiful time to see the whole of Krishna's land.
See our how to commute in vrindavan and mathura vrindavan tour itinerary guides for planning your Braj Holi days.
We host guests for the Braj Holi, from the Lathmar and flower Holis to the Holika Dahan and the day of colour, every year, with a comfortable vehicle, 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.
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Questions Pilgrims Ask Before Visiting
Every answer is based on Gurudutt's on-ground experience guiding 50,000+ pilgrims through Mathura & Vrindavan since 2018
When is Holi 2027 in Mathura and Vrindavan?
The main Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan in 2027, the Rangwali Holi or Dhulendi, the day of colour, is on Monday, 22 March 2027, with Holika Dahan, the bonfire on the eve, on Sunday, 21 March 2027. But in Braj the Holi is a festival of over a week, with a unique Holi in each town, from the Laddu and Lathmar Holis at Barsana from 15 March, through the flower Holi at Vrindavan, to the Dauji Huranga finale at Baldeo on 23 March.
When is Holika Dahan 2027 in Braj?
Holika Dahan in 2027 is on Sunday, 21 March 2027, the sacred bonfire lit at dusk across Braj on the eve of the main Holi, in memory of the saving of the devotee Prahlad; the main Rangwali Holi, the day of colour, follows the next day, on Monday, 22 March. See our Holika Dahan 2027 guide for the date, the muhurat and the story; take the exact local muhurat from your own panchang or priest.
What is the full Braj Holi 2027 schedule?
The Braj Holi 2027 runs over a week: Laddu Holi at Barsana on 15 March; Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and Nandgaon on 17 March; Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul and the Widow's Holi at Vrindavan, on 19 March; Phoolon Wali flower Holi at Banke Bihari, Vrindavan, on 20 March; Dwarkadhish temple Holi at Mathura and Holika Dahan on 21 March; the main Rangwali Holi on 22 March; and the Dauji Huranga finale at Baldeo on 23 March.
When does the Braj Holi begin in 2027?
The Braj Holi 2027 begins on Monday, 15 March, with the Laddu Holi, the sweet Holi, at the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, which opens the week-long festival as the Holi invitation from Nandgaon is accepted. The famous Lathmar Holi at Barsana follows on 16 March. So while the main Holi is on 22 March, a full Braj Holi trip begins around 15 March; give it as many days as you can.
How many days should I plan for the Braj Holi 2027?
Give it as many days as you can, for the Braj Holi runs over a week; four or five days lets you see the great events, the Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon, the flower Holi at Vrindavan, the Holika Dahan and the main Holi and the whole week the full festival, ending with the Dauji Huranga finale at Baldeo on 23 March. Base in Vrindavan or Mathura and let a Braj guide plan the days.
What is the story of Holika Dahan?
Holika Dahan commemorates the story of Prahlad and Holika from the Puranas. The demon king Hiranyakashipu demanded to be worshipped as a god, but his son Prahlad remained a pure devotee of Vishnu; enraged, the king sent his sister Holika, who had a boon that fire could not harm her, to sit in a blazing fire holding Prahlad, to burn him. But by Vishnu's grace it was Holika who was consumed, while the devout child came through unharmed. So the fire is the triumph of faith and of good over evil.
What is the Lathmar Holi and when is it in 2027?
The Lathmar Holi is the world-famous stick Holi of Braj, played between the twin towns of Radha and Krishna: at Barsana on 16 March 2027, when the men of Nandgaon come and the women of Barsana drive them off with lath and at Nandgaon on 17 March, when the play is returned. The Laddu Holi at Barsana is the day before, on 15 March. See our Lathmar Holi guides for each day.
What is the Phoolon Wali Holi and when is it in 2027?
The Phoolon Wali Holi, the flower Holi, is the most beautiful of the Braj Holis, at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, on Saturday, 20 March 2027, on Rangbharni Ekadashi, when the priests shower thousands of kilograms of flower petals on the devotees during the morning darshan. The temple is small and the crowds extreme, so arrive very early and put safety first; see our Phoolon Wali Holi guide.
How early should I book for the Braj Holi 2027?
Very early; hotels and guest houses in Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana fill up two to three months in advance for the Holi, which is by far the busiest season in Braj. Book your stay and your trip as early as you can, especially for the flower Holi and Lathmar Holi days; a Braj guide can also help secure the plan. Do not leave booking late or you may not find a room.
Is the Braj Holi safe, with the crowds?
The Braj Holi is joyful but very crowded and some events, the Phoolon Wali Holi at Banke Bihari and the Lathmar Holi at Barsana above all, draw extreme crowds. Arrive very early for the morning darshans, secure safer, less congested vantage points, put your safety first and take special care with children and the elderly. Go with a Braj local who knows the safe places, the timings and the road closures; planned well, it is safe and unforgettable
What is the main Holi day in 2027?
The main Holi day in 2027 is Monday, 22 March, the Rangwali Holi, also called Dhulendi, the great day of colour, when everyone across Mathura, Vrindavan and all of Braj and all India, plays with colours and water in joy. It follows Holika Dahan on the eve, 21 March. In Braj, though, the day of colour is the shared centre of a much longer festival of unique town Holis, from 15 to 23 March.
Why is the Braj Holi so special?
Because Braj is the land where Krishna played the first Holi with Radha and the gopis, so here Holi is the living play of his leelas, not only a festival of colour. And unlike elsewhere, where Holi is a day, in Braj it runs over a week, with a unique Holi in each town, the stick Holi at Barsana, the flower Holi at Vrindavan, the cane Holi at Gokul, the temple Holis and the wild Huranga at Baldeo. It is devotion and joy as one, the most special Holi in India.
What is the Widow's Holi at Vrindavan?
The Widow's Holi is a moving, uplifting celebration at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan, around 19 March 2027, in which the widows of the holy town, once kept from the festival, joyfully play Holi with flowers and colour; it is a beautiful reclaiming of the joy of the festival and has become a celebrated part of the Braj Holi. It is a tender, joyful sight and a reminder that Holi's colour is for all.
Should I confirm the Braj Holi temple dates locally?
The main Holi on 22 March and Holika Dahan on 21 March 2027 are settled, so you can rely on them. But the exact dates of the village temple Holis are traditionally confirmed by the local temple trusts closer to the festival, so reconfirm the temple dates as Holi nears or let your Braj guide, who knows them first-hand, confirm the programme; the sequence is stable, but the odd local date can be finalised near the time.
Where should I base for the Braj Holi 2027?
Base yourself in Vrindavan or Mathura, central for the whole Braj Holi and make day trips to Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul and Baldeo for their Holis; the two cities are only about 14 km apart and have the range of stays. Some also base a night or two nearer Barsana for its Lathmar Holi days. Book very early, as Holi fills months ahead and go with a Braj guide for the days.
Mathura Vrindavan Holi 2027 kab hai?
Mathura-Vrindavan mein mukhya Holi (Rangwali Holi / Dhulendi) 2027 mein somwar, 22 March ko hai, aur Holika Dahan ravivar, 21 March ko. Par Braj mein Holi ek saptah se zyada chalti hai: Barsana ki Laddu aur Lathmar Holi (15-16 March), Nandgaon (17 March), Gokul ki Chhadi Mar Holi (19 March), Banke Bihari ki Phoolon Wali Holi (20 March), aur Baldeo ka Dauji Huranga (23 March). Jaldi booking karein. Ise hum aadar ke saath prastut karte hain. Radhe Radhe.
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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 |
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