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Nullam dignissim, ante scelerisque the is euismod fermentum odio sem semper the is erat, a feugiat leo urna eget eros. Duis Aenean a imperdiet risus.
Braj (Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon) hosts some of the most divine and colourful festivals in India. These events attract millions of devotees worldwide every year. Here’s a complete guide to all **major Braj events** that take place annually.
During the Braj festivals, people are seen dancing, singing and performing dramas to the extreme most. People also act and perform to the childhood pranks that Shri Krishna used to play in his childhood. The roads and temples here are decorated with flowers and colors and the music of flute and drums just makes the environment enchanting. Today people from all across the country visits Mathura, Vrindavan and other parts of the holy Brajbhoomi in order to celebrate the colorful festivals that earmarks the times of Lord Krishna. The rich tradition of folk songs adds an additional component to the festival. The festivals are celebrated across the Braj with special arrangements in Nandgoan, Radhakund, Vrindavan, Mathura, Mahavan and Govardhan. It is said that once you visit and witness all such festivals in Brajbhoomi, you can’t stop yourself to visit this place again and again because of the attachments one gets here, this can simply be said to be the magic of Lord Krishna.
Basant Panchami, also known as the Braj Basant Utsav, is one of the most joyful and spiritually uplifting festivals celebrated across Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon.
This festival marks the arrival of spring season (Vasant Ritu), when the entire Braj region transforms into a beautiful landscape filled with fragrance, fresh blossoms, and vibrant yellow colors.
In Braj, Basant Panchami is deeply connected with the divine pastimes of Radha Krishna, especially the celebrations of Vasant Rasa.
The temples of Vrindavan—such as Banke Bihari, Radha Raman, ISKCON, Radha Vallabh, and Shri Radha Damodar—celebrate this day with grand decorations, yellow flowers, and special musical performances.
Lathmar Holi is one of the most iconic festivals of Braj. Celebrated a week before Holi, this event symbolizes the playful pastimes of Radha and Krishna. In Barsana, women “playfully” strike men with sticks, while the men defend themselves using shields.
Thousands of devotees gather in the narrow lanes of Barsana to witness colors, joy, music, and traditional songs called “Hori.”
The next day, Nandgaon hosts the celebration where Barsana women visit to return the tradition.It is an unforgettable cultural and spiritual experience.
Phoolon ki Holi is the most beautiful and divine celebration in Vrindavan during the Holi week. Unlike normal Holi, flowers are used instead of colors.
Banke Bihari Temple becomes fully covered with exotic flowers like roses, marigold, and lotus.
The festival lasts only for a few minutes, and during that short celebration, the entire temple hall is filled with fragrance, divine chants, and showering flowers.
Devotees from around the world travel specifically to Vrindavan to witness this heavenly moment.
Raslila plays are performed throughout Braj during the Holi season.
These divine dramas, based on the leelas of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani, are performed by trained spiritual artists dressed in traditional costumes.
The entire ambience—music, dialogues, expressions, and devotional atmosphere—takes you back to the Dwapar Yuga.
Normally, Raslilas continue for 8–15 days, and each day depicts a different episode such as Govardhan Leela, Kaliya Daman, and various Raas scenes.
Janmashtami is the biggest festival of Braj.
Mathura, being the birthplace of Lord Krishna, becomes the center of worldwide celebrations. At Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, huge decorations, jhankis, devotional programs, and cultural performances take place.
At midnight (12 AM), the Abhishek of Bal Gopal is performed with milk, honey, curd, ghee, and sacred herbs.ISKCON Vrindavan hosts one of the most beautiful midnight celebrations with thousands of devotees performing ecstatic kirtan.
Radha Rani’s appearance day is celebrated with immense devotion in Barsana.
The main temple, Shri Ladli Ji Mandir, becomes a center of celebration where thousands of devotees gather early morning to witness the special abhishek of Radharani.
Sweet dishes, flower decorations, traditional dances, and chanting of Radha Naam continue for several hours.
Many devotees also perform parikrama around the hill of Barsana.
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is celebrated the day after Diwali.
In Govardhan town, mountains of food—56 Bhog, sweets, fruits, and vegetables—are beautifully arranged and offered to Giriraj Maharaj.
Lakhs of devotees perform Govardhan Parikrama (21 km) on this auspicious day.
The entire region vibrates with chants of “Giriraj Maharaj ki Jai” and “Govardhan Dhari Lal ki Jai.”
Kartik month, also known as Damodar Month, is the holiest period in Vrindavan.
Every day special kirtans, deep daan, spiritual discourses, and parikramas take place.
In the evening, thousands of lamps are offered at Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON, Radha Raman, and Radha Damodar temples.
Devotees also perform Yamuna Aarti during Kartik which is considered highly auspicious.
Sharad Purnima marks the night when Lord Krishna performed Maha Raas with the Gopis.
In Vrindavan, temples organize special Raas ceremonies, devotional singing, and moonlight celebrations.
It is believed that on this night the moon showers special nectar (amrit), which enhances spiritual energy.
Many devotees drink kheer kept under moonlight, which is considered spiritually blessed.
Jhulan Yatra lasts around 10–15 days during the monsoon month of Sawan.
Beautiful swings (jhulas) are decorated with flowers, pearls, cloth canopies, and lights in almost every temple.
Radha-Krishna deities sit on these swings while devotees sing monsoon songs and perform kirtans.
Banke Bihari and ISKCON Vrindavan host the most spectacular swing festivals.
Every year, ISKCON organizes a grand Ratha Yatra where the deities of Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra are taken out on beautifully decorated chariots.
Devotees pull the chariot with chants of “Hare Krishna,” while dancers, kirtan groups, and drum artists lead the procession.
It is one of the most joyous events of Vrindavan.
After Diwali, Annakut is celebrated in most temples across Braj.
Huge mountains of food are lovingly offered to Krishna.
The temples are decorated with lights, lamps, and flower garlands.
The distribution of Anna Prasadam continues throughout the day.