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Mathura — host of Holi (Festival of Colours)

Festival · UTTAR PRADESH

Holi (Festival of Colours).

Early March (lunar calendar; 2026: March 4-5) · Mathura

Holi celebrates the love between Krishna and Radha, central to Mathura and Braj region culture. The festival lasts a week, with Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon featuring women playfully hitting men with sticks (symbolising Krishna's village pranks). Mathura's celebrations include colour throwing, bonfires (Holika Dahan), Dahi Handi (breaking pots of curd/butter), and Ras Leela dances depicting Krishna and Radha's love story.

Why it mattersMathura is Krishna's birthplace, making Holi a deeply spiritual festival tied to his divine leela (divine play). The Braj region is the iconic heart of Holi celebrations in India, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually.

Going for this? Mathura in March

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March is Holi in Mathura, and this is not your regular festival—it's the spiritual epicentre of Holi celebrations worldwide. The festival runs for nearly a week across Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon. Colour, music, and devotional energy reach levels that defy description. Temperatures: 18-30°C. The entire city becomes the celebration.

See the Mathura March guide →

Getting there

Elevation
174 m
Nearest airport
Agra Airport (60km)
Nearest railway
Mathura Junction

Live in Mathura

Where to eat

  • Brijwasi Mithai Wala

    Legendary
    Holi Gate · ₹

    SignatureMathura peda

    Buy peda by the kilo, not by the piece — packaging is set up for travel boxes. Khurchan (caramelised milk-skin sheets) is the lesser-known item locals reach for.

  • Shankar Mithai Wala

    Legendary
    Holi Gate · ₹

    Signaturebedai with aloo sabzi

    Come before 9am for hot bedai straight from the kadhai; by mid-morning the morning batch goes cold and they switch to samosa and chaat. Cash only.

  • Loft Cafe & Restaurant

    Mathura city · ₹₹

    Signaturewood-fired pizza

    Pure-veg by city ordinance — the pizzas use paneer instead of meat; ask for the wood-fired option which they do better than the standard oven pies.

  • Hotel Mayur Madhav Restaurant

    Mathura city · ₹₹

    Signaturenorth indian thali

    Better for a sit-down dinner than the chaotic lunch queues at street-side spots. Call ahead during festival weekends — Holi and Janmashtami fill it.

All eateries in Mathura →

What else to see in Mathura

  • Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi

    Birthplace of Lord Krishna. Temple built at the exact prison cell site. One of India's most sacred sites.

    temple
    1-2 hours

  • Dwarkadhish Temple

    Richly painted temple from 1814 with intricate carvings. Main festival temple during Holi and Janmashtami.

    temple
    1 hour

  • Government Museum Mathura

    Outstanding collection of Mathura-school sculptures from 3rd century BC. Kushan and Gupta period masterpieces.

    museum
    1-2 hours

Other festivals in Mathura

Other festivals in March, elsewhere

See every festival in March →

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