1

Morning drive to Vrindavan for check in at hotel. Afternoon leave for Barsana to witness Laddu Holi celebrations at Radha Rani temple, Later in the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.

2

Morning breakfast at the hotel and then leave for Barsana to witness the most vibrant festival of Color. Thousands of people from all corners of India visit Mathura and Vrindavan especially on this occasion. The festivities begin with Lathmar Holi played in Barsana, a small village near Mathura. Lathmar Holi usually begins around a week before the main Holiday.

During the India Holi tour celebrations, women from Barsana village gather with wooden sticks in their hands to welcome men from Nandgaon. This is part of the tradition as Hindu Mythology says that Lord Krishna along with his friends visited Barsana, Radha’s village (Radha was Lord Krishna’s girlfriend), to tease her and other Gopis (girls) by throwing colored water on them. In retaliation, Radha and Gopis chased Krishna and his friends to beat them up with sticks.

Even today, people from Nandgoan and Barsana follow the ritual. Men soaked in colored water arrive in Barsana and tease women by singing provocative songs. The women then beat them with sticks (Lathis) and men use shields to protect themselves. Later in the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.

3

Morning breakfast at the hotel and then leave for Nandgaon as celebration in Barsana is followed by similar celebrations in Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) on the very next day. It was at Nandgaon that Krishna spent his childhood. As the legend goes, Radha with her friends called Gopis would come to Nandgaon on this day to take revenge on Krishna and his friends by splashing color on them.

Since the women do not go, men and trans-genders dressed as women representing them from Barsana go to Nandgaon to celebrate Holi with the men there. They are welcomed with water and colour in the village. This is very unique as the menfolk play Holi with women in a way which is not sexual in its approach but it has the rustic element of wooing and teasing. The main celebrations are held in the courtyard of the temple at Nandgaon and soon the courtyard transforms itself into a visual delight of beautiful colour-explosion. People from both the villages sit across each other singing and dancing here. Overnight stay.

5

After breakfast leave for Agra and upon arrival check in at hotel. Later visit world famous “Taj Mahal” during sunrise, the monument of love immortalized in marble. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his Queen Mumtaj. Everyone has most likely seen a picture of Taj, but nothing really comes close to the real thing – the Taj Mahal looks a lot better in reality than in a picture. Continue your tour to visit Then we shall move to Agra Fort, an imperialist fort situated on the banks of river Yamuna and served as the center of operation for the Mughal emperor Akbar. The fortified walls of the fort encompass several palaces and complexes like Moti Masjid, Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas etc. The fort is the finest architectural monument built in red sandstone.

Later we shall set out for Sikandra, the tomb of Akbar. Located on the outskirt of the city, the ruler started building his tomb during his lifespan, but the contruction was finally completed by his son , Jahangir. The white marble memorial has manicured lawns with exceptionally engraved gateways. It is a symbol of Din-E-Ilahi, a new religion founded by Akbar which incorporates the best elements of Hindu, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism. Overnight stay at Hotel.

6

After breakfast, we shall leave for excursion to Fahehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri is located at the distance of 37 kms from Agra and served as the short term capital city of the Mughal Empire under the sovereignty of Akbar the Great. This place was founded in 1569. Akbar ordered for the construction of grand mosque as a token of gratitude to the saint who had predicted that he would be blessed with a son. When prediction of the saint came true, Akbar shifted his capital from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. He even constructed three palaces for his favorite wives. The city was a perfect representation of Indo Islamic style.

Continue driver to Bharatpur famous for the Keoladeo National Park which is regarded as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It emerged as a royal hunting ground during the 19th century. In 1982, this was declared a national park and later also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. There are more than 305 species of birds and animals. Overnight stay.

7

Morning after breakfast visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park which provides a totally unique experience as it is a host to many rare species of migratory birds. The park is a combination of marshland, scrubland and grassland. You will explore the park in a rikshaw or by walk and capture rarest species that have migrated from China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Siberia, Europe, and central Asia. The rarest species found here are Siberian cranes, the Siberian Greyleg Goose, the Chinese Bareheaded Goose, Painted Stork, Pipit, Warbler, Wagtail, White Ibis and the Marsh Harrier.

Afternoon leave for Vrindavan. On arrival check in at the hotel . Overnight stay.

In the afternoon, leave for Mathura to participate in the colourful Holi procession which starts at Vishram Ghat. In the procession, there are a number of vehicles which are decorated with flowers, and some even have kids dressed up as Radha-Krishna. Later in the evening, it is time for Holika Dahan which means burning of effigy of Holika, the devil. Overnight stay.

8

Today is big Holi day, the biggest event takes place at the historical Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura. On this day, there is tradition of making and drinking bhang which is an edible preparation of cannabis. We shall come to Vishramghat to catch the process of making bhang by the priests.

You may also try a glass yourself. The temple opens at 10 o’clock in the morning and there is a big crowd outside the gates by then playing Holi and throwing color on anyone who comes there. The atmosphere inside the temple is really great. Priest play Dhols and everyone there is singing and dancing. You can also join and enjoy the celebration by being a part. Later return to hotel and it is time to relax after all these fun frolic activities. Overnight stay.

9

After breakfast, leave for Delhi and the Holi festival tour package ends.