Braj Holi 2024 Full Schedule: Holi 2024 Dates In Mathura, Vrindavan And Barsana

Braj Holi 2024 Full Schedule: Holi will be celebrated on March 25 across the country in 2024. The celebration of Holi typically lasts for 2 days - March 24 is Holika Dahan and March 25 is colour fights. Few exceptional traditions are observed in some parts of India. People living in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh believe that the festival is related to Lord Krishna. Holi rituals in the Braj regions of Mathura, Vrindavan, Gowardhan, Gokul, Nandagaon and Barsana - are the most famous ones. The Lathmar Holi - the traditional Holi festivity in Barsana is world famous.

Holi 2024 Dates in Mathura, Vrindavan, And Barsana

During the 40 days of Holi in Braj, various festivals take place in temples daily, but real fervour ignites during the 7 days of Holi. It begins with Barsana Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi, followed by other Holi festivals in major temples.

Significance of Brij Ki Holi

Holi is steeped in numerous mythological tales, each contributing to the rich tapestry of its origins. One such legend revolves around the childhood of Lord Krishna. As a young boy, he lamented to his mother about the stark contrast in skin tones between himself and Goddess Radha. In response, his mother suggested a playful solution: applying vibrant colours to Radha's complexion, birthing the joyful tradition of Braj ki Holi. The narrative unfolds with an annual journey undertaken by Lord Krishna from Nandgaon to Barsana, where Radha and her companions playfully wield sticks in jest.

Another captivating story centers around Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap. Prahlad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, faced opposition from his powerful and malevolent father, Hiranyakashyap. The father desired his son's allegiance to him rather than to Lord Vishnu. A nefarious plot was hatched involving Holika, Hiranyakashyap's sister, who possessed a boon rendering her impervious to fire. The plan involved Holika sitting in the flames with Prahlad in her lap. However, the divine intervention protected Prahlad, while Holika met her demise as the flames engulfed her, penalising her misuse of supernatural powers.

This is how the tradition of Holika dahan or Holika bonfire started being practiced to mark the beginning of this Hindu festival.

Later, Hiranyakashyap was left aghast with the incident and challenged his son to show if his God exists. When Prahlad affirmed the omnipresence of Lord Vishnu, the infuriated father broke down the pillar on which his son was sitting and was shocked to see a half-lion and half-human featured boar coming out of it.

Lord Vishnu took the form of this huge boar, called Narasimha, to rip Hiranyakashyap¡¯s torso apart with his bare nails and kill the king at twilight.

What is Rang Panchami?

Ranga Panchami is a festival of colours, just like Holi, but celebrated in some parts of India only. It's the day when we celebrate the fundamental component of the universe, according to spirituality. The universe is huge but it is made up of the smallest particle as science has already proved in the past. In science, we call these particles atoms and molecules but as per Hindu beliefs, the universe is made up of three gunas, namely, Sattwa, Raja, and Tama. Rang Panchami is the victory of Raja Tama. This day reminds us of the basic component and lives that have formed everything.

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