The festival that displays hues like no other, transcends border to reflect purity, ushers in hope as it welcomes the vibrant spring in the Indian subcontinent-Holi it is. As pure as its name Holy, it has many perspectives of ancient days and modern world. Holi marks the Prince Prahlad’s victory with the killing of Holika (his vicious aunt who wanted to end his life) and celebrates triumph of righteousness and belief. Holi stands for the love and camaraderie that Lord Krishna enthuses in his hometown to his most beloved Radha. Holi also marks the making of organic color from flowers to keep seasonal diseases at bay. So which Holi do you wish to celebrate? Which Holi will make you blush? Which Holi can uplift the spirit of the country to unify people in a simple lyrical string. Come explore with Frontiers Beyond!!
Where to enjoy?

A crisp warm morning in Brij region! Birds will chirp and men and women would pull out their neat and clean (preferably white) kurta pajamas to paint the color of love, fun and frolic. A 7-day festival in the ancient towns of Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan and lastly the beautiful town of Radha-Barsana is worth remembering. The lovely towns in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh can be reached very easily from the capital city of Delhi.
Mathura happens to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The festivities begin with mellifluous chimes of the bells in the temples. Devotees gather with their offerings to the deity and begin a merriment-filled day. A whole day where you splurge colours both dry and liquids, you are bound to require some refreshments.

What to try?

What are some of the best things to try out as you submerge in this festivity? Try some thandai drink with some Gulkand, or eat some crispy and sweet Gujias to keep your energy up. In some regions people try “ Bhang” in their thandai. This is intoxicating as it is prepared from Cannabis and the mad rush is something worth laughing!
Rituals and fun

In Barsana and Nandgaon, there is a fascinating ritual called “ Lathmaar”. The tradition follows the first time when Lord Krishna came to Barsana and jestfully applied colors on Radha his love interest. The women chased him out of the village along with his friends with stick ( Lathi). And even in modern day, this enactment is carried out with lot of zest and fervor. The men come from Nandgaon to play Holi with the women of Barsana. After the first color spray the women strike the men with sticks and men try to protect themselves with shields. There will be a group of women who would be cheering them and encourage them to keep striking with the sticks. So practically Lath Mar translates to striking with sticks. Mind it! This is all done in good humor and no one is actually hurt. In all these villages the festivities continue till Rang Panchami. So this year in Barsana it is 24th March while in Nandgaon Holi will be celebrated on 25th March.

Women step out from the Radha Rani temples in jarring and jingling colourful lehenga cholis with ornaments and play to their heart’s content. If you wish to capture a heart-filled painting of all emotions transpiring into a vivid picture of emotions, come and play Holi with us.
Moving on to Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, the atmosphere was electric. Colorful processions paraded through the streets, accompanied by lively music and dance. If folklore and local dance forms are something you like, come and merge with the spirit of Vrindavan. Locals and tourists alike joined in the revelry, smearing each other with vibrant hues of gulal (colored powder) and exchanging warm embraces. It was a celebration of unity and togetherness, where differences dissolved in a sea of colors.

But Holi is not just about colors and revelry; it is also a time for reflection and renewal. Amidst the chaos and cacophony, there existed moments of quiet introspection, where individuals sought solace in the embrace of their loved ones and the divine.

As the day drew to a close, and the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the spirit of Holi lingered in the hearts of all who had partaken in its magic. For in the Brij region, Holi was not just a festival; it was a way of life—a celebration of love, unity, and the timeless traditions that bound humanity together.
Once in a lifetime celebrating Holi is a must and you need to celebrate the spirit of love and living life with its own hues. Let the team of Frontiers Beyond take you to the extravagant journey to the heartlands of India