Holi Festival Tour
See Holi where it began — and plan it well.
Holi 2027 falls on Tuesday 23 March. Here is the official date, where the festival is celebrated longest, what Lathmar Holi is, how to stay comfortable and safe in the crowds, and how to fit Holi, the Taj Mahal and Jaipur into one trip. Written by a travel company based in the Himalaya.
- 23 Mar Holi 2027 (Tuesday)
- 16–30 Mar Rangotsav in Braj
- 6 days Holi + Taj + Jaipur
- Checked 22 Oct 2026
When and where is the Holi festival in India in 2027?
Holi 2027 falls on Tuesday 23 March, with Holika Dahan bonfires on the evening of Monday 22 March (Government of India holiday list). The Braj region — Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon — celebrates longest: UP Tourism lists Rangotsav 2027 as 16–30 March. Braj lies between Delhi and Agra, so Holi fits easily with the Taj Mahal and Jaipur. We plan the trip with a private car and a local guide.
Holi 2027: the dates that matter
Holi 2027: Tuesday 23 March (Holika Dahan bonfires on the evening of Monday 22 March), per the Government of India’s 2027 holiday list. Local celebrations in Braj start earlier — UP Tourism lists Rangotsav 2027 as 16–30 March.
| What | When (2027) | Where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangotsav — the Braj Holi festival | 16–30 March | Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul, Govardhan | UP Tourism (Incredible India) |
| Lathmar Holi | Two days, about a week before Holi — exact 2027 days confirmed when UP Tourism publishes the schedule | Barsana, then Nandgaon | Incredible India; we confirm before you book |
| Holika Dahan — bonfires | Monday 22 March, evening | Across North India | Government of India holiday list 2027 |
| Holi — the day of colours | Tuesday 23 March | Across India; biggest in Braj | Government of India holiday list 2027 |
Some websites give 22 March as Holi 2027 — that is the evening of the bonfires; the gazetted Holi holiday is 23 March. Dates checked 22 Oct 2026.
Where to see Holi: the Braj towns
Braj is the land of Krishna’s childhood stories, and Holi here lasts far longer than one day. Each town has its own character:
Mathura
Believed to be Krishna’s birthplace: the Shri Krishna Janmasthan complex, the Dwarkadhish temple (1814) and Vishram Ghat, the most important of its 25 ghats on the Yamuna. A practical base, with Mathura Junction railway station.
Vrindavan
A temple town a short drive from Mathura — Shri Banke Bihari, Radha Raman, ISKCON and Prem Mandir. UP Tourism lists Phoolon ki Holi (flower Holi), Widow Holi and Rangwali Holi in the streets of Braj.
Barsana and Nandgaon
Barsana, about 40 km (25 mi) from Mathura, is believed to be Radha’s birthplace and has the Radha Rani temple. It is the home of Lathmar Holi; Incredible India calls Barsana’s Lathmar Holi a huge attraction for visitors.
Gokul and Govardhan
Gokul (about 10 km / 6 mi from Mathura) and Govardhan (about 25 km / 16 mi) are part of the Rangotsav programme too — quieter places to add on a second Braj day.
Lathmar Holi, flower Holi and the other traditions
What you will see depends on the day and the town. These are the celebrations UP Tourism lists for Rangotsav:
Lathmar Holi
Held over two days in February or March. On day one the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana’s Radha Rani temple, and the women of Barsana playfully strike them with bamboo sticks (lathis) while the men shield themselves; on day two Barsana’s women go to Nandgaon. It is loud, crowded and joyful.
Phoolon ki Holi — flower Holi
In Vrindavan, Holi is also played with flower petals. UP Tourism lists it as part of Rangotsav.
Widow Holi
Celebrated in Vrindavan. Please watch with respect and do not photograph individuals without their consent.
Rangwali Holi
The day of coloured powder (gulal) and water in the streets of Braj — and on 23 March across India.
A 6-day Holi, Taj Mahal and Jaipur plan
Mathura and Vrindavan lie between Delhi and Agra, so Holi fits naturally into a Golden Triangle trip. A sample plan — we set the exact days around the 2027 festival schedule:
- Day 1 — DelhiArrive, rest and meet your driver. Your driver’s name, photo and car number are shared with you before the trip.
- Days 2–3 — Mathura, Vrindavan and BarsanaTwo nights in Braj with a local guide: temples, ghats and the Holi celebrations of the day — Lathmar Holi in Barsana if your dates match, watched from a rooftop or balcony where we can arrange one.
- Day 4 — AgraThe Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Taj is closed on Fridays, so we plan around it. Delhi to Agra is 204 km (127 mi) by road.
- Days 5–6 — JaipurAgra to Jaipur is 232 km (144 mi) by road. Two days for the Pink City, then back to Delhi or on to the rest of Rajasthan — see our Rajasthan tour.
Want more time? Our two-week India itinerary adds the Himalaya after Holi.
Is Holi safe for tourists? An honest answer
Holi is joyful, but the crowds are big and personal space disappears. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO, India travel advice updated 7 Oct 2026) says to take particular care during periods of national or religious significance, and notes that stampedes have occurred at some events with large crowds, such as religious gatherings.
Women travellers
The FCDO warns that female travellers often experience verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men, and that there is a risk of sexual assault, including attacks on female foreign visitors in tourist areas. At Holi, go with a local guide, stay in a group, and consider watching Lathmar Holi from a rooftop or balcony — we arrange one where we can.
Food and drink
Drinks offered by strangers at Holi can be spiked or contain bhang (cannabis); the UK Foreign Office warns about spiked food and drink. Accept food and drink only from people you know.
Crowds
Lathmar Holi and the temple celebrations draw very large crowds. Keep your guide’s number saved, agree a meeting point, and leave early if a crowd feels too tight.
Your phone and passport
Keep your passport in the hotel safe and your phone in a waterproof pouch. Colour and water get everywhere.
What to wear, what to bring
Holi colours stain. Pack for that:
Clothes
Old clothes and shoes you can throw away afterwards; long sleeves and trousers cover more skin. Many visitors wear white to show the colours — it will not stay white.
Eyes and skin
Colours can irritate skin and eyes — consult your doctor if you have allergies or sensitive skin; see CDC or NHS Fit for Travel. Sunglasses help. A common local tip is a layer of oil on hair and skin before you go out — a tip, not medical advice.
Weather
Braj is warm by March: Incredible India gives Barsana’s February range as about 5–29 °C (41–85 °F), and days get warmer into March. Bring a hat and water.
Visa
Check whether your passport qualifies for India’s e-Visa and apply yourself only at the official site indianvisaonline.gov.in — beware look-alike sites that charge extra. We are not a visa agency; see our e-Visa guide.
How we plan your Holi trip
Hotels in Mathura and Vrindavan fill early for Holi, so book early — a 20% deposit holds your dates. Your trip is quoted on request and can include:
Private car + driver
Every day of the trip, with fuel, tolls and parking — see our private car with driver.
A local Braj guide
With you on the Holi days, who knows the towns, the temples and the crowds.
Hotel nights with breakfast
In Braj, Agra and Jaipur, chosen for your budget.
Rooftop viewpoints
Arranged where possible, so you can watch Lathmar Holi from above.
Taj and monument tickets
Booked for you if you like (optional). Flights, visa and tips are your own.
Prices
A Holi trip is quoted on request — the dates, number of nights in Braj, hotel level and group size change the total. You get a day-by-day plan with a US-dollar total and what it covers before you pay anything. The Golden Triangle, which many guests combine with Holi, has published prices:
| Option | From | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Holi in Braj — added to your India trip | on request | Car with driver, local Braj guide on the Holi days, hotels with breakfast, rooftop viewpoints where possible |
| Golden Triangle — 4 days (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) | from US$299 | Per person, two sharing: private air-conditioned car and driver, hotels with breakfast, airport pick-up and drop, local guides at the main monuments |
| Golden Triangle — classic 6 days | from US$449 | Per person, two sharing: private air-conditioned car and driver, hotels with breakfast, airport pick-up and drop, local guides at the main monuments |
Prices are per person in US dollars, indicative for the season shown, and confirmed on your quote. Taxes included; international flights excluded.
Booking terms (20% deposit, 48-hour refund window) are stated once, under Plan it with a local.
Questions travellers ask
When is Holi 2027?
Holi 2027 falls on Tuesday 23 March, with Holika Dahan bonfires on the evening of Monday 22 March, per the Government of India’s 2027 holiday list. In Braj the celebrations start earlier: UP Tourism lists Rangotsav 2027 in Mathura and Vrindavan as 16–30 March.
Where is the best place to see Holi in India?
The Braj region — Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon — where Holi is celebrated for about two weeks (Rangotsav, 16–30 March 2027). If you prefer a calmer Holi, you can spend 23 March in Jaipur or Delhi as part of a Golden Triangle trip. We help you choose.
What is Lathmar Holi?
A two-day celebration in Barsana and Nandgaon. On day one the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana’s Radha Rani temple and the women playfully strike them with bamboo sticks (lathis); on day two Barsana’s women go to Nandgaon. The 2027 days fall about a week before Holi — we confirm them when UP Tourism publishes the schedule.
Is Holi safe for tourists and solo women?
Holi crowds are big and close. The UK Foreign Office (7 Oct 2026) warns about harassment of women, spiked food and drink, and stampedes at large religious gatherings. Go with a local guide, stay in a group, accept drinks only from people you know, and consider watching from a rooftop we arrange.
What should I wear to Holi?
Old clothes and shoes you can throw away, sunglasses, and a waterproof pouch for your phone. Colours can irritate skin and eyes — consult your doctor if you have allergies or sensitive skin; see CDC or NHS Fit for Travel.
Can I see Holi and the Taj Mahal on the same trip?
Yes. Mathura and Vrindavan lie between Delhi and Agra, so a 6-day plan can cover Braj, the Taj Mahal and Jaipur. The Taj is closed on Fridays, so we plan the Agra day around it.
How early should I book a Holi trip?
Hotels in Mathura and Vrindavan fill early for Holi, so book early — ideally by December or January for March 2027. A 20% deposit locks your dates and price.
Do I need a visa for India?
Plan on needing one. Check whether your passport qualifies for the e-Visa and apply yourself only at the official site indianvisaonline.gov.in — beware look-alike sites that charge extra. We are not a visa agency.
Tell us your dates — we'll plan Holi 2027 for you
Send how many days you have and where else you want to go. You get a day-by-day Holi plan with a local guide, the Taj Mahal and a US-dollar quote from our office in Himachal.
We usually reply within 2 hours, 9 am–9 pm IST (UTC+5:30). Email info@suzutravels.com if you don’t use WhatsApp.
Booking: A 20% deposit locks your dates and price. Full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of paying. Pay by card (Razorpay, international cards accepted) or PayPal; the balance is due before the trip.
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Keep exploring
Sources
- Government of India — List of holidays 2027 (DoPT O.M. 16 Jul 2026, republished by staffnews.in)
- Incredible India (Uttar Pradesh Tourism) — Rangotsav 2027
- Incredible India — Barsana
- Incredible India — Mathura
- District Mathura (Govt of Uttar Pradesh) — tourist places
- UK FCDO — India travel advice: safety and security
- Taj Mahal (official) — visiting hours
- Taj Mahal (official) — getting around (road distances)
- Government of India — e-Visa (official site)
Written by the Suzu Travels team in Himachal Pradesh, India. Facts checked 22 Oct 2026. Prices, visa rules and road conditions change — we re-check this page regularly; ask us before you book.
