How to Reach Braj Holi 2026 by Train

Holi is just a few days away from us and lets be honest we are all craving to celebrate it in the Braj Region of Mathura and Vrindavan. Braj Holi is something special. Holi here isn’t just a one day event but a 10 day long festival, spread across multiple locations. People here would be found holding rituals in the morning, playing with Gulal in the afternoon and by the evening Bhajan sounds are audible from the temples.

Passengers who want to enjoy Holi at Braj, often confused in choosing the travel medium. Train travel is still an unmatched travel medium in terms of price, comfort and dependability.  And honestly, arriving by train sets the mood. The last stretch before Mathura doesn’t feel ordinary. You start noticing Krishna paintings on random walls, groups of people in white kurtas clearly headed for the same thing, and vendors selling garlands right on the platform. It doesn’t feel like “arrival.” It feels like you’ve joined something mid-way.

Braj Holi Calendar 2026

Planning Your Braj Holi Trip Without Overcomplicating It

Are you overwhelmed by seeing all these locations? Don’t worry as these locations are not very far apart. They all lie in the same Mathura District, Mathura Junction is the common way to reach all the Braj Holi locations by train.

If you want to see the trains between your location and Mathura Junction, you can use RailMitra trains between stations feature to check the list of all the available trains.

Getting to Mathura Junction

Mathura Junction is located on the popular Delhi to Agra train route and therefore connectivity won’t be much of an issue. Trains from all the major cities in the country pass through this location allowing passengers from all around to reach here and celebrate Holi.

If you’re coming from somewhere smaller, you’ll probably change trains at Delhi or Agra. That part is manageable. What’s not manageable during Holi week is waiting too long to book. Seats disappear fast. And relying on last-minute tickets during festival season? Risky.

How to Order Food in Train at Mathura Junction

Passengers who are travelling to the Mathura Junction can easily order food in train using the RailMitra platform. RailMitra is available on its website as well as the train app which can be downloaded on the Google PlayStore or the Apple AppStore. Just follow these steps and you can order food in train at Mathura Junction:

1. 1. Go to RailMitra.com or install the Application.
   2. Select Food in Train option.
   3. You can order by two methods: PNR Method or Train No./Name method.
      • PNR Method: Enter 10-digit PNR Number and click on Order Now.
      • Train No./Name method: Enter Train No./Name, Boarding Date and click on Order Now. Enter the Boarding Station.
   4. Select Mathura Junction as your station food delivery in train.
   5. Select the Restaurant of your choice, Choose your favorite meals and add them to the Cart. 
   6. Click on View Cart and Proceed.
   7. Enter Customer Details and Select a Payment option.
   8. Apply Coupon Codes. (There are many Holi Festival coupons available. Use them before they run out.)
   9. Hit Place Order.

From Mathura to Vrindavan Holi

Vrindavan is not far and just about 15 kilometres away from Mathura Junction. You can book cabs, auto rickshawas or ride a shared auto. The shared one will start only when full and are cheaper in pricing. 

Vrindavan celebrates its Holi not only with colours but with flowers. Priests of the Banke Bihari Temple shower flower petals on the devotees for as long as 15-20 minutes continuously. The vibe and the feeling of this is something which can only be experienced.

Another important event in Vrindavan is the Widow Holi. Earlier widows were kept away from these celebrations as it is the orthodox tradition. However, people have started to challenge these unfair social norms.. A result of this movement is the Widow Holi where women with white clothes play holy. The colours of Gulaal on their otherwise plain clothes is a moving visual.

Heading Toward Barsana and Nandgaon

Barsana and Nandgaon are around 50 kilometres from Mathura Junction. During Holi week, you don’t really have to plan too many vehicles to keep going back and forth. Shared jeeps fill up quickly, buses get crowded, and autos somehow squeeze in “just one more person.” If traffic isn’t completely stuck, you’ll reach in a little over an hour.

Most people make this trip for Lathmar Holi. And honestly, seeing it in person feels different from watching clips online.

From a distance, it looks intense. Women walk forward holding long bamboo sticks. Men stand in front of them with shields raised over their heads. For a second, you wonder how hard those sticks are actually coming down. Then you notice the laughter. The cheering. The exaggerated way the men duck and stumble. It starts to feel less like a fight and more like a dramatic village ritual everyone understands.

The first round happens in Barsana, which locals associate with Radha. Men from Nandgaon come there and become the playful targets. The next day, the whole thing shifts to Nandgaon, where the roles flip.

Picking the Right Train

Here are some of the most popular trains you can choose to reach Mathura Junction:

• Shatabdi Express (12001 / 12002)

Shatabdi Express is the best train for travellers coming from Northern and Central India. This train connects Mathura Junction to cities like New Delhi and Bhopal. It is known for its punctuality, short travel time and premium services.

• August Kranti Tejas Rajdhani (12953)
  

Passengers who want to reach Mathura from the Western region can go for August Kranti Tejas Rajdhani. This train connects Ahmedabad, Kota and Vadodara to Mathura. The best feature of this train is that it runs daily.

• PNBE-Kota Express (13237 / 13239)

Travelers looking to reach Mathura from the eastern regions can take the PNBE-Kota express. This train connects Patna to Mathura and also opens up the city for a wider base of Bengal, Odisha and North eastern states.

• Malwa Express (12919)

Malwa Express is another train that connects Mathura to the Central and Northern regions of the country. Passengers from Ujjain, Indore and Gwalior. The best feature of this train is that it runs daily.

• Grand Trunk (GT) Express (12615)

Grand Trunk Express is the perfect train for visitors from the South. This train connects Chennai Central, Vijayawada, Warangal, Nagpur, Itarsi and Bhopal. This train runs daily

When Should You Actually Reach?

This part surprises people: Braj Holi doesn’t happen in just one day.

Barsana celebrates first with Lathmar Holi. Nandgaon follows. Vrindavan temples continue their own versions for days. There’s even Phoolon ki Holi, where flowers replace colors for a softer celebration.

If you can, reach at least four or five days before the main Holi date. That way, you’re not running from event to event. You can breathe a little.

Why Train Travel Just Makes Life Easier

During Holi, roads around Mathura and Vrindavan become unpredictable. Traffic diversions pop up. Delays happen without warning.

Trains, while not perfect, are still more reliable. They drop you right where the action begins. No long highway uncertainty.

There’s also something about sharing a compartment with people headed to the same festival. Conversations start naturally. Plans get exchanged. Excitement builds slowly instead of hitting all at once.

A Few Things Worth Remembering

• Book your return ticket early.
• Carry small cash for autos.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind sacrificing to color.
• Protect your phone, like really.
• Drink water. You’ll forget otherwise.

Conclusion

Braj Holi isn’t just a destination to explore as a tourist, it is a spiritual place. After reaching this place, people realise what is the true essence of Holi and the divine love between Radha and Krishna. It appears as if the whole region gets immersed in the celebration of this colour of festival creating an experience that really can’t be described in words.

All the important locations of this 10 day long festival come in Mathura district. Be it Vrindavan, Barsana or Nandgaon, passengers can easily reach here through the Mathura junction.

Passengers should plan their journey carefully. If they do not have a Confirmed ticket they should head towards Tatkal ticket booking. Proper planning can make your journey stress free so that you can groove to the vibe of Holi. Braj Holi is all about feeling the vibe, don’t miss it.