By the Vrajraj team, Govardhan · Last verified
The Braj year is a calendar of festivals, and many of the biggest celebrations in India happen right here. Dates below follow the Hindu calendar (drikpanchang, North India). Braj temples occasionally celebrate a day earlier or later, and dates marked "expected" are confirmed by the local administration closer to the time.
| Festival | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Sharad Purnima | Sun 25 Oct 2026 | Full-moon night of the Raas; kheer offered under moonlight in temples across Braj. |
| Kartik (Damodar) month | ~26 Oct – 24 Nov 2026 | The most sacred month in Braj: lamp offerings, Damodar worship, parikramas. |
| Ahoi Ashtami / Radha Kund snan | Sun 1 Nov 2026 | Midnight bath at Radha Kund; very large crowds. |
| Dhanteras | Fri 6 Nov 2026 | Start of the Diwali festival days. |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Temples and ghats lit with lamps. |
| Govardhan Puja & Annakut | Tue 10 Nov 2026 | The great festival of Govardhan: Annakut offerings, parikrama crowds. |
| Bhai Dooj | Wed 11 Nov 2026 | Yamuna snan at Vishram Ghat, Mathura is traditional. |
| Kartik Purnima | Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Close of Kartik; parikrama and deep-daan. |
| Lathmar Holi, Barsana | ~Tue 16 Mar 2027 (expected) | Women of Barsana playfully "beat" the men of Nandgaon with sticks. |
| Lathmar Holi, Nandgaon | ~Wed 17 Mar 2027 (expected) | The return match in Nandgaon. |
| Phoolon wali Holi, Vrindavan | ~Thu 18 Mar 2027 (expected) | Holi of flowers at Banke Bihari on Rangbharni Ekadashi. |
| Holika Dahan | Sun 21 Mar 2027 | Bonfires on the eve of Holi. |
| Holi (Dhulandi) | Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Colours everywhere in Braj. |
| Huranga, Dauji | ~Tue 23 Mar 2027 (expected) | Exuberant post-Holi celebration at the Dauji temple, Baldeo. |
| Mudiya Purnima / Guru Purnima | Sun 18 Jul 2027 | Govardhan's biggest mela; parikrama crowds of crores over several days. |
| Janmashtami | Wed 25 Aug 2027 | Krishna's birth celebrated at midnight; Mathura and Vrindavan are packed. |
| Radhashtami | Wed 8 Sep 2027 | Radha Rani's appearance day, celebrated grandly at Barsana. |
Kartik: the most sacred month in Braj
The month of Kartik (around 26 October to 24 November in 2026) is when pilgrims from across India come to Braj. They offer lamps to Damodar (Krishna), walk the Govardhan Parikrama and visit Radha Kund. Within it fall Ahoi Ashtami, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Kartik Purnima. The weather turns pleasant, and accommodation fills quickly.
Govardhan Puja and Annakut
Nowhere celebrates Govardhan Puja like Govardhan itself. Temples offer mountains of food, the annakut, to Giriraj ji, and the parikrama path is full day and night. Read our Govardhan Puja & Annakut guide.
Holi in Braj
Holi in Braj lasts more than a week: Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi in Barsana, the return Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon, the Holi of flowers at Banke Bihari, and Huranga at Dauji after Holi. See Holi in Braj 2027.
Mudiya Purnima
On Guru Purnima, Govardhan hosts one of the largest religious gatherings in North India. The Mudiya Purnima mela marks the passing of Sanatan Goswami, a disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and his followers lead a procession with shaven heads (mudiya). The parikrama is walked by crores of devotees over a few days.
Planning your stay around festivals
- Book early for Kartik, Govardhan Puja, Holi and Mudiya Purnima.
- Expect traffic restrictions and diversions around Govardhan, Barsana and Vrindavan on peak days.
- Stay outside the town centres and travel in at quieter hours. Vrajraj at Punchhari is on the quiet southern side of Govardhan.
Planning a festival visit? Send us your dates and we will help you plan around the crowds.