Have you ever wondered why there are only a few memories in life that never fade, no matter how many years pass by. They always remain fresh in heart, wrapped in emotions and joy. One such memory for me is the Holi. In 1998, I was in Mathura. That was the first time I ever experienced the Holi festival in Braj Dham. In Mathura – Vrindavan, Holi was not just a festival. It is an emotion, a divine celebration where colors blend with spiritual emotion.
I had always heard stories about the legendary Holi of Brij Dham, but experiencing it first hand was nothing short of magical. I was very excited. The celebration starts much earlier than Holi.
But on the day of Holi (Dhuli Vandan), my aunt (landlady) yelled “Hey Chhora” from the ground floor. Her strong yell woke me up. It was still 5 am in the morning, her voice brimming with excitement. The entire household was alive with festive preparations that had been going on for two days.
There’s a table filled with all kinds of sweets and snacks placed neatly. Amid these treats, bowls filled with vibrant colors (gulal) sat like little pots of joy. It’s a tradition that the younger ones had to do a tika and take blessings of the elders before starting the Dhuli Vandan. The warmth of those moments, the affectionate blessings, and the fragrance of freshly made gujiyas and namakpare still linger in my heart. It was an experience that touched my soul.
Our Holi programme was already fixed between our 4 friends and we all are excited and looking forward to a fulfilling Holi experience. When I stepped out on the terrace, every street, and every person radiated devotion and love.
Holi Celebration in Sri Dwarkadhish Temple
The real magic unfolded at the famous Sri Dwarkadhish Temple. The moment I stepped inside, a burst of colors engulfed me—vivid pinks, blues, yellows, and greens rained down from all directions. Unlike anywhere else, here, Holi begins with a shower of fragrant flower petals before the dry colors take over. Devotees danced with their eyes closed, arms raised in devotion, as if Krishna Himself was among us, teasing and laughing as He did with Radha and His Gopis.
We entered the Dwarkadhish Temple. The air was filled with excitement as people smeared colors on each other, embracing strangers as friends. Everyone is hugging everyone. The concept of strangers evaded by the colors of Holi. Krishna ji was dressed in white dress and decorated with colorful flowers. There were moments when I just stood still, overwhelmed by the sheer vibrancy of it all—this wasn’t just a festival; it was a passage through time, a reliving of divine play. I have lost in the vivid imaginations ofShri Krishna playing Dhuli Vandan with Radharani and other Gopis.
We spent some time in the temple, soaking in the festive spirit. Around noon, after having Kullar Chai and Feni (Khari) we left for Vrindavan. Vrindavan is around 14 kms from Mathura. It’s a mere 20-25 mins away on our bikes. As we were entering the town, we saw the streets were crowded with people of all ages and genders in their traditional white dhoti and kurtas. The whole of Vrindavan has been dipped in colors of devotion and love. The energy was simply electrifying.
Holi in Vrindavan
As we stepped into the streets of Vrindavan, I was instantly transported into another world, the world of divine colors. I was mesmerised for a few moments. Thousands of people soaked in colors shouting, singing and dancing. The whole atmosphere is magical. Kids were throwing colors on us. Our sunglasses were covered with water. We went for a darshan at the Banke Bihari Temple.
The air was filled with the scent of gulal, blended with the fragrance of fresh flowers. Every corner of the town echoed with joyous chants of “Radhe Radhe” and “Holi Hai!”. People, regardless of age or background, played Holi like children, soaking each other in color and laughter. We too blended in the atmosphere and cherished every moment of it for almost two hours. Carrying the energy, me and my friends left for Barsana.
Lathmar Holi in Barsana
Barsana, Radharani’s village is famous for Lathmar Holi in Here, women playfully chase men with sticks, reenacting the teasing games between Radha and Krishna. The men, with shields (large thali’s) in hand, tried to dodge the playful strikes, laughing all the while. The atmosphere was a perfect blend of love, mischief and tradition. Here Holi wasn’t just about colors but about emotions, stories, culture and our centuries old history.
The streets were alive with gulal. People sang songs of Krishna ji and danced to the tunes of Dhols, and immersed themselves in colors of joy. The spirit of Holi truly knows no boundaries.
Thandai was being prepared in giant vessels and offered to everyone—irrespective of caste, religion, or background. Each of us had two large glasses each. In that moment, everyone was equal, drenched in colors of unity and brotherhood. It was a festival where barriers dissolved, and hearts connected.
Yamuna Ghat
As the day came to an end, my clothes were drenched in hues I could never wash away—colors that carried the spirit of devotion, love, and joy. Around 5.30 pm flying high in Thandai, we reached Yamuna ghat. Sitting by the Yamuna River that evening, watching the golden hues of the sunset blend into the rippling waters, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
After taking a bath in Yamuna, controlling our emotions of ecstasy, we reached home around 7.30 pm. Holi in Braj Dham is not just about playing with colors. It is about surrendering to the divine, dissolving into joy, and celebrating love in its purest form with Lord Krishna.
Even now, as I close my eyes, I can hear the sounds of joy, feel the colors on my skin, and sense Krishna’s eternal presence in every corner of Braj Dham. Holi there is not just a festival; it is an experience, a blessing, a memory that stays forever in my heart.
Oh God, I miss those colorful days. But it was a wonderful feeling to share my unforgettable experience on the occasion of Holi. This is kind of reliving the mesmerising experience.
Happy Holi to all!
Radhe! Radhe!
Wonderful narration! I also visited Mathura and Vrindavan on normal days , never during Holi ! These two places vibrate with love and positive energy on other days too.
I could feel those vibes through your blog! Lovely. Many blessings!