India Holi Festival 2026: Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana Lathmar, Pushkar, Hampi Color Festival Complete Guide
Browse more guides: India travel | Asia destinations India Holi Festival 2026: Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana Lathmar, Pushkar, Hampi Color Festival Complete Guide I have spent six Holi seasons travelling small temple lanes, desert courtyards, and forest ashrams across India. This guide is the one I wish I had before my first trip. It covers ten regions, real costs in rupees and dollars, and tips drawn from my own mistakes. TL;DR Holi 2026 falls on Tuesday March 3 (Holika Dahan bonfire night) and Wednesday March 4 (the main colour morning). The single best place to feel the festival is the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, where Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana run a 16-day calendar of temple events. Pushkar in Rajasthan and Hampi in Karnataka offer photogenic alternatives without the Braj crowd levels. Book accommodation three months ahead, carry organic colour powders only, and dedicate one set of clothes you will throw away afterwards. Why Visit India for Holi in 2026 Three things m...