---

Imagine the aroma of sweets being fried in ghee, the traditional flavours embracing the festive mood and the bhajans in your ears, the cities Mathura and Vrindavan come alive through their festivals. Located on the banks of Yamuna, these towns are not only the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s leelas but also a repository of cultural and devotional heritage. The festivals in Mathura Vrindavan are spiritual, colourful and full of devotion. Let us see the top festivals and fairs of Mathura and Vrindavan, which are unique and special in its own way.

Holi Festival in Mathura

The gujiyas (sweet pastries filled with khoya and dry fruits) and the thick, creamy thandai with saffron set the mood for one of the most fun festivals in Mathura and Vrindavan. Holi, the festival of colours, is the celebration of Krishna and Radha’s love and is celebrated with full fervour. Mathura being Krishna’s birthplace and Vrindavan his playground, become the hub of “Braj ki Holi”. Barsana’s “Lathmar Holi” where women playfully beat men with sticks as they sing and dance, reenacting Krishna’s visits to Radha’s village.

Banke Bihari Temple Vrindavan is a rainbow of colours and priests shower flower petals and gulal on the devotees. This festival brings everyone together, unity and love and also to commemorate Krishna’s leelas. It is said that to experience Holi in Braj is to experience ultimate fun and freedom.

When It Is Celebrated: February-March (Full Moon Day in Phalguna Month)

Tips: Wear comfortable white clothing that you don't mind getting coloured, protect your eyes with sunglasses, and use organic colours for safety. Arrive early for a good spot at the Banke Bihari Temple or Barsana to attend event. It is advisable to book Dharamshala in Mathura in advance during major festivals of Holi and Janmashtami.

Festival of Janmashtami

Chants of "Kanhaiya Lal Ki" and the sweet scent of Butter will fill you from inside on this day. Janmashtami is the birth of Lord Krishna and is one of the most colourful festivals in Mathura and Vrindavan. The Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura becomes a sea of devotion where thousands of devotees gather to celebrate the divine birth at midnight. The rituals start with bhajans (devotional songs) and end with the reenactment of Krishna’s birth as the temple resonates with the chanting of “Nand Gher Anand Bhayo”.

In Vrindavan, temples are decorated, devotional dances and dramatics of Krishna’s childhood are performed. And of course, the celebration of the Dahi Handi competition gets organized where young men form human pyramids to break earthen pots filled with butter that depicts the childhood of lord Krishna. Don not miss to be part of Janmashtami Celebration in Mathura.

When It Is Celebrated: August (8th day of the dark fortnight in Bhadrapada Month)

Tips: Visit the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple at midnight to witness the climax of the celebrations. Carry small offerings such as flowers or sweets for the deity.

Radhashtami

The sweetness of kheer with cardamom and saffron is offered to Radha Rani on Radhashtami, the birthday of Radha, the beloved of Krishna. The festival is observed with great reverence and the Temples in Vrindavan, especially Radha Vallabh Temple are decorated with flowers and glittering decorations. Abhishekam (bathing) of Radha’s idol with milk, curd, honey and ghee is the main ritual of the day as it represents the purity and love of Radha.

Radhashtami is a festival of love and devotees sing and dance in praise of Radha’s love for Krishna. Barsana, the birthplace of Radha also comes alive with festivities as devotees from all over come to see Radha in Krishna’s life.

When It Is Celebrated: September (15th day after Krishna Janmashtami)

Tips: Visit Barsana for the most authentic experience, and reach early in the morning for the abhisheka. The temples can get very crowded, so keep personal belongings secure.

Govardhan Puja

Puris and sweets like laddoos and halwa are made in huge quantities for Annakut (an offering to Krishna during Govardhan Puja). This festival celebrates Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to save the people of Braj from the wrath of Lord Indra.

On this day people make small mounds of cow dung to resemble Govardhan Hill which is decorated with flowers and offered worship. Devotees go around Govardhan Hill while chanting Krishna’s name and thanking nature for its blessings. It’s a reminder of Krishna’s message to respect nature and celebrate it in our lives.

When It Is Celebrated: October-November (Day after Diwali)

Tips: Participate in the "Annakut" feast at local temples for an authentic experience. If you plan to do the Govardhan parikrama then remember that it can be done only barefooted.

Jhulan Yatra

Fresh jasmine garlands and marigold and rose petal decorated swings set the mood for Jhulan Yatra which is all about Radha and Krishna’s playful nature. During monsoon, beautifully decorated swings are set up in temples and homes across Vrindavan to celebrate Radha and Krishna’s love.

Devotees gather to swing the idols of Radha and Krishna with bhajans and clappings as a ritual. Temples like Banke Bihari and Radha Raman are fully decorated with flower and ribbon decorated swings, creating a devotional and joyful atmosphere.

When It Is Celebrated: July-August (Shravana Month)

Tips: Wear light and breathable clothes while visiting temples as it can be crowded. And the best time to visit temples is in the early evening.

Yamuna Chhath

The aroma of jaggery and sesame seeds fills the air during Yamuna Chhath. This is a festival dedicated to the sacred river Yamuna. In the evening thousands of devotees gather around the banks of the river. Then they start the ritual of offering flowers, diyas (earthen lamps) and prayers to Yamuna Devi who is deeply connected with Lord Krishna’s leelas. The evening aarti at Vishram Ghat is a treat to watch. Here you can see the river sparkling with thousands of floating diyas.

This is a thanksgiving to the Yamuna for its life giving properties and its presence in Krishna’s stories. Pilgrims take a ritual bath and offer prayers to get the blessings of the river goddess.

When It Is Celebrated: April-May (6th day of Chaitra Month)

Tips: Arrive early to secure a good spot for the aarti because the banks get crowded when the ritual starts. Wear clothes that are suitable for getting wet if you wish to take a dip in the Yamuna.

Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra Mathura

The smell of halwa and puris fills the air as the chariot of Lord Jagannath along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra moves through the streets of Mathura. The Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra is an annual event celebrated in the Vrindavan where thousands of devotees come to pull the chariot and get the blessings of Krishna. The idols are dressed in colourful clothes and jewels and are placed on beautifully decorated chariots and taken for a darshan through the city.

The rath yatra is a symbol of Krishna’s desire to meet all his devotees. The sight of the chariot moving through the streets with the slogans of “Jai Jagannath” all around evokes deep devotion in the hearts of the participants.

When It Is Celebrated: June-July (Ashadha Month)

Tips: If you wish to help pull the chariot then you have to be prepared for walking some miles so you should dress comfortably.

Akshaya Tritiya

The aroma of freshly made sweets like boondi ladoos and jalebis fills the temples on Akshaya Tritiya. This is a day of prosperity and infinite blessings. This is one of the most sacred days for Hindus and is considered a day of eternal prosperity. In Mathura and Vrindavan, it is celebrated with special prayers and offerings to Lord Krishna.

Devotees visit temples, do charity and donate food and clothes to the needy, believing that any good deed done on this day will give them manifold returns. It is also a day for new beginnings such as starting new ventures, buying property or investing.

When It Is Celebrated: April-May (Third day of Vaishakha Month)

Tips: If planning a new venture then you should consult a local priest for the best time to start on Akshaya Tritiya.

How People Celebrate Festivals in Braj Bhoomi

During the Braj festivals, you can see people dancing, singing and taking part in dramas to enact life stories of Shree Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Rama. Temples in Mathura Vrindavan, roads, shops and houses are decorated with flowers, rangoli, colourful lights that create entire ambience enchanting. Folk songs playing at every corner or in temple, bhajan Kirtan attracts visitors to get devoted to every tune. All famous places of Braj Bhoomi as Nandgaon, Govardhan, Vrindavan, Mahavan, Barsana get decorated in same tune. Various fairs are organized where colourful shops with display of handicrafts, idols, dresses etc. To enjoy all fair and celebration in Braj Bhoomi, book all-inclusive Mathura Vrindavan Tour Package to get all services at its best. Once you become part of these festival celebration in Mathura Vrindavan, you will never forget it and wish to visit every year.