Braj's eternal Holi: Where colours dance for 40 days!

As Braj embarks on its 40-day Holi celebrations, the festivities will reach their peak with Laddu Mar Holi on March 7, followed by Lathmar Holi on March 8. The grand celebrations will conclude with the Holi Utsav at Rangji Temple in Vrindavan on March 22.

- Hemendra Chaturvedi

AGRA: While the rest of the nation awaits Holi in mid-March, Braj—with Mathura at its epicentre—has already been immersed in the festival's colours since Basant Panchami.

In Braj, Holi is a grand 40-day celebration, reaching its peak this week with the much-anticipated Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon.

Enthusiasm is soaring, especially with expectations of chief minister Yogi Adityanath's visit to Mathura.

Holi—an extended affair Each region has its own set of Holi practices, and for Braj region it is Laddu Mar Holi and Lathmar Holi. With the 40-day Holi celebrations beginning on Basant Panchami, all eyes are now on March 7, when Laddu Mar Holi will take place at the renowned Ladliji Temple (Radha Rani Temple) in Barsana, believed to be the birthplace of Radha Rani.

The Laddu Mar Holi tradition also includes an invitation to the people of Nandgaon (Krishna's village) by Barsana residents, setting the stage for the Lathmar Holi on March 8 at Rangili Gali, in the shadow of the Radha Rani Temple. The next day, on March 9, Barsana Holi participants will head to Nandgaon for the continuation of Lathmar Holi.