India - Holi Festival Photo Tour - full itinerary
Holi, India's most vibrant and exuberant festival, presents an extraordinary visual feast across multiple historic locations. The celebrations begin in Barsana, birthplace of Radha, where the unique Lathmar Holi sees women playfully beating men with sticks while colours fill the air, creating varied dynamic compositions.
In neighbouring Nandgaon, Krishna's homeland, the festival takes on a different character as devotees spray coloured water from syringes and throw vivid powders. The celebrations here focus on the mythological relationship between Krishna and Radha, with ancient temples providing dramatic backdrops for traditional festivities.
Mathura, the sacred birthplace of Krishna, brings a unique perspective as vibrant festival revelry blends with deeply spiritual life along the holy Yamuna River. The ancient ghats provide atmospheric settings for traditional morning rituals, while the old city's maze-like narrow lanes frame intimate candid portraits of devoted pilgrims amidst the swirling brilliant colours and joyful chaos.
Holi begins with its unique regional celebrations and culminates in the national festivities that coincide with our time in Rajasthan. From intimate portraits in Barsana's ancient lanes to the national celebrations during traditional street Holi, the festival provides endless opportunities to document this ancient celebration of spring, faith, and community.
Day 1:
Arrival in Delhi
We will arrange for you to be picked up from the airport and taken to our comfortable hotel located in the nearby Aerocity area. There is a pre-tour meet ‘n’ greet with Nathan at the hotel starting at around 6pm, followed by drinks and dinner with the group.
Day 2:
Delhi — Barsana
After breakfast, we head off on a drive to our hotel in Barsana, where we spend three nights. Upon arrival at the hotel, we can rest for a while, after which Nathan holds a briefing on optimum Holi camera techniques, as well as dos and don’ts while participating in the Holi celebrations.
Next, we gear up our cameras with protective plastic covers, then we walk out of our hotel to witness the unusual Laddu festival where locals throw sweets at each other rather than water in preparation for Holi. From our doorstep, we can follow the action all the way to the main temple in Barsana, known as Shri Radha Rani, but depending on crowd control issues on the day we will advise whether it’s suitable to go into the temple itself.
Day 3:
Barsana
We need plenty of energy to get through today so we suggest everyone wake up in their own time. After breakfast, we discuss how we can apply the latest processing techniques to yesterday’s Holi photos.
This afternoon, we enjoy the festival at the village of Barsana Lathmar. Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, Lord Krishna's beloved wife, attracts many visitors each year when it celebrates Holi. It can be overwhelmingly busy but we arrange a safe heaven on a roof top on one of the busiest streets. You can then run up and down to the street as you please.
On this particular day, as part of the festival, the men of Nandgaon come to the village, intending to take over the temple of Shri Radha Rani. The local women are reluctant to allow them to do so and resist them with bamboo sticks. Unable to strike back, the men can only soak up the beating with a pre-prepared shield. Add to the scenario a day’s worth of thrown paint and water and you have great photo opportunities in all directions. In the evening we head back to the hotel for dinner.
Day 4:
Barsana
Once again, we need plenty of rest and preparation time for this afternoon’s visit to the village of Nandgaon, where we witness their own particular Holi celebrations.
Today is the festival of colour, food and drink, and celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Dyed water is shot from syringes, thrown from buckets and poured into balloons, which are then tossed at people. The celebrations are centred on the changing balance of power between the male (embodied in Krishna) and the female (represented by Radha). They are liberally sprinkled with perfumes, saffron water, kesudo, and covered in sandalwood as well as white and pink powder, abir and gulal.
By the end of the afternoon, we will have reached our unique vantage point from which we witness one of the highlights of the tour - the Samaj rituals where a large group of males sodden in bright paint enchant Krishna prayers.
Day 5:
Barsana — Mathura
To be updated soon
Day 6:
Mathura — Agra
To be updated soon
Day 7:
Agra
To be updated soon
Day 8:
Agra — Karauli
To be updated soon
Day 9:
Karauli - Pachewar
To be updated soon
Day 10:
Pachewar
To be updated soon
Day 11:
Pachewar
To be updated soon
Day 12:
Jaipur
To be updated soon
Day 13:
Delhi
We take an early morning flight back to Delhi, from where you can transfer for your flight back home, unless of course you’re planning to spend a few more days in India.
We hope you will have had an enjoyable and memorable experience, and look forward to seeing you again on another photographic adventure!
