This Holi, travel to Mathura and Vrindavan for a classic affair

By Rashmi Hemrajani

Holi is India's most colourful. We celebrate this festival of colours with much oopmh and fanfare. While it depicts a farewell to winter and embraces spring (summer), different states in India enjoy the festival in unique ways.

Mathura and Vrindavan: Holi celebrations start 40 days before the main day. Mathura is where Lord Krishna was born, while Vrindavan was where he spent his childhood. The main venue for Holi celebrations in Mathura is in the vicinity of Holi Gate.

The Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Mathura holds a popular show in the week before Holi.

Manipur: A six-day long festival commences on the full moon day of Phalguna. As part of Holi rituals, girls extract money from boys for playing Holi. On the sixth day, hundreds of devotees take out processions towards the main Krishna Temple, 3 kms of Imphal where various cultural activities are performed.