Holi Festivities Begin In Mathura, Preparations Across Country In Full Flow. SEE PICS

While the majority of the country celebrates Holi over one or two days, in the Braj region - Vrindavan, Krishna's homeland Mathura, Barsana, and Gokul - Holi celebrations last for more than a week.

Holi celebrations in Mathura

Holi, the bright celebration of colours, is knocking on our door. Holi, a joyful and spirited celebration, is widely celebrated across the country. (Image Source: PTI)

Holi, Lord Krishna's favourite celebration, is filled with colour and frolic. While majority of the country celebrates Holi over one or two days, in the Braj region - Vrindavan, Krishna's homeland Mathura, Barsana, Nandgaon, Govardhan, and Gokul in Uttar Pradesh - Holi celebrations last for more than a week. (Image Source: PTI)

Holi will be held on March 8 this year, while Holika Dahan will be held on March 7. An extra week of festivities is planned for the Braj region. (Image Source: PTI)

Lathmar Holi, which is celebrated in locales such as Barsana, Mathura, and Vrindavan, is well-known and draws visitors from all over the world. During Lathmar Holi, women with lathis or canes chase after men and strike them playfully. (Image Source: PTI)

This custom is based on the legend of Lord Krishna, who is said to have visited Radha's hamlet to taunt her and her friends. At the time, the village's gopis took offence and chased him away with sticks.  After the celebrations in Radha's village of Barsana, Lathmar Holi is celebrated the next day in Nandgaon. (Image Source: PTI)

Holi heralds the end of winter and the beginning of spring. According to folklore, King Hiranyakashipu desired that his subjects solely adore him. But his own son, Prahlad, continued to revere Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu, enraged, resolved to punish his son. He urged his fire-resistant sister Holika to join Prahlad in the fire. When she did, her cloak flew away and covered Prahlad, rescuing him, but killing Holika. (Image Source: PTI)

Then Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Narasimha and destroyed Hiranyakashipu. As a result, the Holi festival begins with Holika Dahan, a bonfire lighted to ward off evil. (Image Source: PTI)