Braj Holi 2026: It's impossible to imagine the Holi atmosphere without talking about Mathura and Vrindavan. While the festival is typically celebrated for two days, in the Braj region, it lasts for 40 days. Here, the festival begins on Basant Panchami, and the tradition of playing with colors continues until Holi. The Laddumar Holi, Lathmar Holi, Phoolwali Holi, and Huranga, played here, are famous not only in India but worldwide. If you also want to visit the Braj region and participate in the Holi festivities, find out which Holi will be celebrated on which day in Mathura and Vrindavan in 2026. Also, how to reach, where to stay, and what to avoid during the Holi festival.

Braj Holi 2026 Calendar
Holi is celebrated for a full 40 days in Braj. But the main Holi celebrations are:

Laddumar Holi - This Holi will be celebrated in Barsana on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Devotees celebrate Holi by throwing laddus at each other inside the Radha Rani Temple.

Lathmar Holi - This Holi will be celebrated in Barsana on Thursday, February 26, 2026. In this, married women beat their husbands and other men with sticks. The following day, on Friday, February 27, 2026, Lathmar Holi will be played in Nandgaon.

Phool ki Holi - This Holi will be celebrated in Vrindavan on Saturday, February 28, 2026. During this time, Holi is celebrated by showering flowers in temples, which is quite captivating.

Chhadi-mar Holi - This year, Holi will be celebrated in Gokul on Sunday, March 1, 2026. On this day, women beat men with sticks. When Lord Krishna teased the Gopis and other women in Gokul, they would chase him with a stick. The next day, i.e., on Monday, March 2, 2026, Holi celebrations will be held at Raman Reti in Gokul.

Holika Dahan - This year, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. It will be celebrated on the same day in Mathura and Vrindavan.

Rangwali Holi, also known as Dhulandi - Holi, will be celebrated across the country, including Mathura, Vrindavan, and Braj, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

When to Reach Vrindavan and Barsana
If you want to visit Vrindavan, Barsana, Mathura, or Braj for the Holi festival, it is best to arrive at least 4 to 5 days before the main festival. This year, Laddumar Holi is on February 25, so you can plan accordingly. Since Holi festivities are extremely crowded throughout Braj, it's best to arrive early. Arriving early allows you to comfortably participate in all the festivities in Nandgaon, Barsana, Mathura, and Vrindavan.

How to Reach
Plan according to the festival you're attending. Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana are easily accessible by road. If you're leaving on Holi or the day before, it's best to leave early in the morning due to traffic and crowds. Barsana is approximately 150 kilometers from Delhi, making it easy to reach by car or bus. Mathura and Vrindavan are also easily accessible from Delhi by bus. The Mathura Junction railway station is well connected to major states across the country, allowing you to easily reach Vrindavan, Gokul, and other destinations by road.

Where to Stay
Most pilgrims book hotels in Vrindavan or Mathura. Since Holi is very crowded, it's best to book your hotel in advance. If you live near these areas, you can go in the morning and return by evening.

Must-eat:
The sweets of Braj are quite famous. The most famous sweet in Braj is Peda. Besides Mathura, Peda from Vrindavan is also quite famous. Other sweets like Khurchan, Rabri, and Imarti are also popular.

Keep these things in mind while traveling:
There is a huge crowd on Holi. If you are traveling by road on this day, it's best to arrive by 6 a.m. When going to play Holi, wear cotton and full-sleeved clothes. Since the crowds are large, take care of your mobile phones and other essential items. Follow the guidelines issued by the temple and the administration at the temple you visit. Take care of women, children, and the elderly during Holi celebrations.

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