Holi 2026: Vrindavan’s Flower Holi Attracts 126% Rise In Travel Interest; Mathura Sees 109% Hike

Holi has always moved people, and this year, it is moving them across cities. Fresh accommodation search data by Agoda shows that travellers are not just taking time off for the long weekend; they are deliberately choosing places where Holi feels rooted, theatrical and lived-in. The platform compared searches made between 28 December 2025 and 28 January 2026 for check-ins scheduled from 28 February to 4 March 2026 with the corresponding Holi period last year. The jump is unmistakable! 

Which Cities Are Leading In Holi Travel?

Jaipur leads the surge with a 282% increase in accommodation searches. Udaipur follows at 233%, and Pushkar at 195%. These are not random spikes, as each city offers a distinct mood of celebration. In Jaipur, palace courtyards and the Amer Fort backdrop turn Holi into a spectacle layered with royal pageantry. Udaipur’s celebrations unfold along Lake Pichola, where heritage hotels and boutique stays host curated gatherings that blend tradition with hospitality. In Pushkar, the action gravitates toward Pushkar Lake and its 52 bathing ghats, where street processions and community rituals shape a more grassroots experience.

Further north, temple towns are drawing travellers who want something devotional rather than decorative. Vrindavan has recorded a 126% rise in searches, driven by flower Holi ceremonies, bhajans echoing through temple courtyards and rituals that stretch over several days. Mathura, closely associated with the birth of Lord Krishna, has seen a 109% increase in visitors as visitors plan to witness processions and street celebrations that carry mythological resonance.

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Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh And THIS City Attract Travellers

The momentum is not confined to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Hampi, with its UNESCO-listed ruins and open temple squares, has registered a 128% rise in searches. During Holi, its stone landscapes become gathering grounds for colour-soaked celebrations that appeal as much to history enthusiasts as to festival travellers. In West Bengal, Shanti Niketan’s Basanta Utsav has pushed a 43% increase in travel interest, drawing those who prefer a more artistic interpretation of the festival, centred on music, poetry and performance. Collectively, these destinations have recorded a 211% rise in travel interest.

International travellers are contributing significantly to this growth. Udaipur has seen a 459% increase in searches from across Asia compared to last year, while Jaipur has recorded over 191% growth. The surge is led by travellers from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, signalling Holi’s expanding pull beyond India’s borders.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, observes that Holi is increasingly shaping travel calendars for both domestic and international visitors. Cultural festivities, he notes, are influencing how travellers plan, where they stay and what experiences they prioritise.

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With more than 6 million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes and upwards of 300,000 activities on its platform, Agoda’s data points to a clear shift: Holi is no longer just a festival marked on the calendar, it is a travel season in its own right.

Cover Image Courtesy: mayursable/canvapro and stock_photos/canvapro