Huranga Holi

Huranga Holi is a special and lively festival celebrated at Dauji Temple in Baldeo town, near Mathura. It takes place the day after Holi and is known for its playful and wild traditions.

In the afternoon, men and women gather inside the temple premises. Once the Holi celebration begins, the temple gates are closed, and no one can leave until it ends. People throw bright colors at each other, while women standing on the temple roofs pour buckets of colored water on the men below.

This tradition has been followed for over 500 years, ever since the Dauji Temple, dedicated to Lord Balram (Krishna’s elder brother), was established. The festival has a unique custom where women from the temple’s founding family tear off men’s shirts and playfully beat them with strips of cloth. In return, the men drench the women with colored water.

The descendants of Goswami Kalyan Deo Ji continue this tradition every year. Over time, the family has grown, and now, most of the village claims to be their descendants. However, anyone can take part in the Huranga celebration. The festival is a mix of fun, tradition, and devotion.

For visitors who prefer to watch rather than participate, there is an option to sit upstairs and enjoy the view.

While Holi is a two-day festival for most of India, in the Braj region, it lasts for 40 days, beginning on Basant Panchami and concluding with Huranga Holi at Dauji Temple in Baldeo. This makes the Holi celebrations in Braj one of the most unique and extended festivities in the world.