Braj ki Holi 2022: When and where to watch Lathmar Holi, Barsana Holi celebrations

'Braj ki Holi' is laden with innumerable colours, mouth-watering food, age-old traditions and unrestrained fun. Holi celebrations in Nandgaon and Barsana, Uttar Pradesh begin a week before the festival. Lathmar Holi will be celebrated for the first time this year on March 11, 2022.

NEW DELHI: The festival of colours, Holi is just around the corner and people are gearing up to celebrate the joyous festival with their friends and closed ones. While Holi is celebrated in every part of the country, one of the most unique celebrations occurs in the holy land of Radha-Krishna, Braj located in the centre of Vrindavan-Mathura.

Since it is celebrated in the village of Braj Bhumi, the festival is called Braj ki Holi. Here, the celebrations often begin from Basant Panchami and extend till 2-3 days after the last day of Holi! This unique celebration of Holi is internationally popular for its grandness but this year, the festivities will remain small and contained due to the social distancing guidelines. However, the traditions of Braj ki Holi will remain the same. 

Here are the types of Holi celebrations included in Braj ki Holi this year: 

Laddu's Holi, Barsana: This is the first day of Braj ki Holi. It's held at Radha Rani's village Barsana. Laddu Mar Holi consists of devotees gathering in temples, dancing, singing and later throwing laddu’s at each other, which is ultimately consumed as Prasad.

Lathmar Holi, Barsana in Rangili Gali: On this day, women of Barsana take up sticks or lathis and chase men away from the area. This practice comes from the story of Lord Krishna, who once visited Radha’s village to tease her and her friends.