Holi in Braj: from Lathmar to the Holi of flowers
Why Holi is different in Braj, which places celebrate it how, and how to be part of it from far away.
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Holi in Braj is not a one-day event. It runs for close to a month, and people say the colour starts flying in the temples soon after Vasant Panchami.
The most talked-about version is Lathmar Holi, played in Barsana and Nandgaon. By tradition the men of Nandgaon come to Radha's village, Barsana, and the women playfully chase them with sticks. The men shield themselves with shields and the singing carries on.
The temples of Vrindavan have their own Holi. In some, petals are thrown; in others it is colour and gulal. Which day brings what is set each year by the calendar and the temple's announcement, so check the schedule first.
One practical note
The crowds are heavy, colour gets in your eyes, and phones and cameras get wet. If you go for the first time, wear old clothes and carry a small bag.
If you cannot go, decorate the deity at home with a little gulal and flowers. Sharing Vrindavan prasad with the whole family is the best part of Holi anyway.
