Mathura comes alive with colourful festivals throughout the year. Special festivities mark the festival of colours, Holi. Several classical and folk artistes render enthralling performances on this occasion.
Janmashtami, the birthday of Shri Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and Splendour throughout Braj.
The Raas Leela is enacted recreating the many legends of Shri Krishna's life - his dalliances with the Gopies.
Ceremonies in the temples at midnight include the bathing of the image of infant Krishna which is then placed in a silver cradle. Songs of devotion are sung and toys are offered for the amusement of the divine child. Thousands gather to offer their prayers and Mathura is astir with their devotion and celebrations.
The important fairs and festivals of the Braj include
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Basant Panchami
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Vrindavan
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Jan/feb
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Rath-ka-Mela
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Vrindavan
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March
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Holi
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Barsana, Nandgaon, Rawal, Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Falen
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Feb/March
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Akshya Tritiya
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Vrindavan
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April/May
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Phool Bangla
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Vrindavan
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April to August
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Hindole
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Mathura, Vrindavan
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July/August
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Guru Purnima
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Govardhan
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July/August
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Shri Krishna Janmastami
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Braj Mandal
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July/Sep
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Nandotsava
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Braj Mandal
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August/Sep
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Baldeo Chhet
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Baldeo
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August/Sep
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Matki Leela
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Banaras
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August/Sep
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Radha Ashtami
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Banaras
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August/Sep
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Haridas Jayanti
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Vrindavan
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August/Sep
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Deepawali/Deepdan
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Mathura/Govardhan
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Oct/November
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Annakoot/Govardhan Pooja
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Govardhan
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Oct/November
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Akshaya Navami
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Vrindavan
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Oct/Nov
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Dauji Ki Poornima
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Baldeo
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Nov/December
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Hariyali Teej
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Braj Mandal
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July
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Janmashtami
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Braj Mandal
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August/September
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Radha Ashtami / Swani Haridas Jayanti
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Barsana, Vrindavan
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August
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Annakut
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Goverdhan, Mathura
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Sept./Oct.
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Yam Dwitiya
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Vishram Ghat
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Sept./Oct.
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Kansa Vadh
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Mathura
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Sept.
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Holi
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Braj Mandal
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Feb./Mar.
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Latthmar Holi
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Nandgaon, Falen, Dauji, Rawal, Vrindavan, Mathura
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Feb./Mar.
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Braj Parikrama
The Hindu month of Bhadon, when Lord Krishna was born, is a time of colourful celebrations. The famous Braj Parikrama - a pilgrimage of all the places in Braj that are associated with Shri Krishna, is undertaken. Traditionally, pilgrims go for the Chaurasi kos (84 kos) pilgrimage of Braj Mandal, that covers 12 Vanas (forests) and 24 Upvanas (groves), sacred hill Govardhan, divine River Yamuna and numerous holy places along its banks. It is undertaken annually by lacs of devotees from all over the country.
The Yatra extends to Kotban to the north of Mathura, to Nandgaon, Barsana and the Govardhan Hill to the west and South-west of the city and to the banks of the Yamuna to the east, where the Baldeo Temple is located. Colourful fairs and performances of the Raaslila are distinctive to this festive period.
Gokul
The most celebrated Shri Krishna's abode, Gokul lies across the Yamuna, 1.6 km from Mahavan and 10 km south-east of Mathura. This is the town where infant Lord Krishna was brought up in secrecy by his foster mother Yashoda. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna, Gokul is frequented by pilgrims, especially during Janmashtami.
Gokul attained importance during the time of Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) when it became a major centre of the Bhakti cult. The three oldest temples in the place are those dedicated to Gokulnath, Madan Mohan and Vitthalnath, said to have been built around 1511. The other temples include those of Dwarika Nath and Balkrishna in the shrines which were built in the honour of Lord Mahadeo in 1602 by Raja Vijai Singh of Jodhpur.
The celebration of Janmashtami in Gokul is unparalleled for its gaiety. Melas are held here round the year. Other festivities celebrated with traditional fervour include the Janmotsav in Bhadon, the Annakut festival and Trinavat Mela held on the fourth day of the dark half of Kartik month.
Important sites worth visiting in Gokul include the Gokulnath Temple, Raja Thakur Temple, Gopal Lalji Temple Morwala Temple, Nand Bhawan and Dauji Temple.
Population : 4,021 (2001 census)
Mahavan
Around 14 km from Mathura, lying on the left bank of the River Yamuna, is the large shrine of Mathuranath. It is famous for its Chaurasi Khambha (eighty four pillars). The palace of Rohini, the mother of Baldeo is now the Chhathi-Palna Temple. Other important shrines include the Shyam Lalji Temple, the Yogmaya Temple, Tranairatri Temple and the Mahamall Rai Ji's palace.
Population : 8,576 (2001 census)
Baldeo
Baldeo is 20 km south-east of Mathura and 8.5 km south - east of Mahavan on the road to Sadabad. It derives its name from the famous temple dedicated to Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. It was built by Shyam Das of Delhi 200 years ago. The main image in the sanctum is of Baldeo or Balram with his spouse Revati. Near by is the brick lined tank, the Kshir Sagar or Balbhadra Kund, from where the original image housed in the temple was found. It is famous for its Dauji Temple and Holi-ka-Hurranga celebration
Population : 9,684 (2001 census)
Govardhan
Govardhan is situated 25 km west of Mathura on the state highway to Deeg. A famous place of Hindu pilgrimage, Govardhan is located on a narrow sandstone hill known as Giriraj which is about 8 km in length. This is the place where lord Krishna held aloft a hill for 7 days and nights to shield the people of Braj from the wrath of Lord Indra.
Govardhan is set along the edge of a large masonry tank known as the Mansi Ganga, which is believed to have been brought into existence by the operation of the divine will. Its enclosures were built by Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer in 1637 and embellished by Raja Man Singh, who built a long flight of steps leading up, from the end of the tank. Close by is the famous red sandstone temple of Haridev and the Kusum Sarovar with exquisitely carved Chhatris - the cenotaphs of the members of the royal family of Bharatpur, who perished whilst fighting against the British in 1825. Towards the south is the beautiful Chhatri of Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur. Fine frescoes - illuminating the life of Surajmal, vividly depict Darbar and hunting scenes, royal processions and wars.
Population : 18,494 (2001 census)
Barsana
Barsana, 50 km to the north-west of Mathura and 19 km north-west of Govardhan, is situated at the foot of a hill that is named after Brahma. Barsana was once the home of Radha, Krishna's beloved and consort.
Temples dedicated to the divine couple ornament the four elevations of the hill. The main among them is the Radha-Rani Temple, more fondly referred to as the Ladliji Temple. The most beautiful temple at Barsana, it was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo of Orchha in 1675. The new marble temple adjoining it is a later addition. The other three shrines are Man Mandir, Dargah and Mor-Kutir temples. The area between the hill housing the Radha-Rani Temple and the adjoining one is known as the Sankari-Khor. This is the venue of the annual fair held in the month of Bhadon (July-August).
The birth anniversary of Radha-Rani is celebrated on the ninth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad (July-August). Women celebrate the occasion by giving Laddoos to the peacocks - to symbolize the serving of sweets by Radha to Lord Krishna.
Some of the ancient tanks also survive which can be seen such as Prem Sarovar, Roop Sagar, Jal Mahal and the Bhanokhar Tank.
Barsana is also famous for its 'Latthmar' Holi-celebration of the festival of colour that is unique to this town.
Population : 9,960 (2001 census)
Nandgaon
Nadgaon lies 8.5 km north of Barsana on the metalled road to Mathura (56 km). According to tradition, it was the home of Shri Krishna's foster father, Shri Nandji. On the top of the hill is the spacious temple of Nandrai, built by the Jat ruler Roop Singh. The other temples here are dedicated to Narsingha, Gopinath, Nritya Gopal, Girdhari, Nand Nandan and Yashoda Nandan that are located half way up the hill. A little beyond is the Pan Sarover, a large lake with masonry ghats along its sides. Legend has it, that this was the place where Shri Krishna used to take his cows for water. Not far away is the Kadamb grove called Udhoji - ki- Kyari.
Population : 9,960 (2001 census)
Radhakund
Just 5 km north of Govardhan and 26 km west of Mathura, Radhakund is a large lake, where Shri Krishna is said to have killed Arista - the bull demon. To commemorate this event, every year on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), a large fair Ahoi Astami is held here.
Population : 5,932 (2001 census)