The calendar
Festivals of Braj.
This region invented some of India's greatest festivals and still celebrates them at the source. When they fall, what actually happens, and how to be there well.
February–March (Phalguna); dates move with the lunar calendar
Holi in Braj
Not one day but a week-long cycle — Lathmar sticks, flower showers, and the color storm at its source.
Read the guide →August–September (Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami); dates move with the lunar calendar
Janmashtami
The midnight of the year — Krishna's birthday at his birthplace, and all of Braj awake to greet it.
Read the guide →August–September (Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami), a fortnight after Janmashtami
Radhashtami
Radha's birthday — Braj's other great day, celebrated at full power on her home hill of Barsana.
Read the guide →October–November (Kartik Shukla Pratipada), the day after Diwali
Govardhan Puja & Annakut
The day after Diwali, Braj worships a hill — with mountains of food and a story about humility.
Read the guide →October–November, from Sharad Purnima to Kartik Purnima
Kartik in Braj
Not a festival day but a festival month — lamps on the Yamuna, Damodara songs at dusk, and Vrindavan at its most beautiful.
Read the guide →July–August (Shravana), the days before Raksha Bandhan; dates move with the lunar calendar
Jhulan Yatra
The swing festival — monsoon evenings, deities on flower-dressed swings, and Vrindavan at its gentlest.
Read the guide →All dates are lunar and move against the Western calendar every year. How the Braj calendar works explains it — and the festival calendar 2026–27 pins down where each festival actually lands this cycle, so you can book without the sad email to your airline.
Festival trip?
Planning around a festival?
Rooms sell out months ahead and logistics decide everything. Hourly, honest help from a local — the introduction is free.
amit@brajbhoomi.com