HOLI Madness in Mathura 🇮🇳 #4

Well…playing Holi in 2024 was hands down the wildest experience of my life. Heading up to Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, I knew I was in for something special, but the sheer intensity and energy of the festival completely blew my mind.
My time in Jaipur helped prepare me for the chaos of North India’s streets, since I'd only traveled through the South until then. But nothing could fully prepare me for the madness of the Festival of Colors. In this part of India, Holi celebrations stretch over 7 days, moving through temples in Barsana, Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan. It’s all about colors, music, dancing-and some unique rituals, like Lath Mar Holi, where women playfully hit men with sticks. Or the tradition of consuming bhang, a cannabis-based drink that dates back to ancient times.
While there are moments of pure joy, there are also challenges, especially as a solo female traveler. If you’re thinking about playing Holi in India as a foreign woman, it's essential to follow certain safety rules to fully enjoy the vibrant energy. One of the most important tips is to avoid staying alone in large crowds. Also, I highly recommend declining invitations to dance from strangers, as situations can escalate quickly.
Holi is truly one of the most unforgettable festivals in the world, and experiencing it in Mathura is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hope you’ll enjoy the colors from your screen!
#holifestival #mathurakiholi #festivalofcolors #solotravelindia #femaletravel

[@drvikalpshastri372]

Absolutely magical... divine... U are lucky to be part of this celebration....to witness India in its raw form...

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you 🙏🙏 it felt really special - like you said, India in its raw form!

[@DrFirePenguin]

Loved the Editing when Shakira came on, Pure GOLD!

[@SophiaGarbay]

Hahaha thank you!!

[@AnilKumar-jd7ut]

​@@SophiaGarbay please be careful it's very dangerous there !

[@alicearmand7546]

It is so nice seeing someone showing this way of travelling not just 10 best spot in there or so! Truly showing people having fun on a traditional festival ❤

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you ❤️ it's wonderful to be able to share these moments with you!

[@YassTUBE]

I really enjoyed the Holly video which I was waiting too long for it! Interesting storytelling as usual and m looking forward the next video 🙌 Keep it up Sophiiii ❤

[@SophiaGarbay]

Very happy to finally share 😄 Thank you Yass ❤️

[@OldSkoolFauji]

This was really nice. The story line, the cinematography and the colours were just perfect. That transition to Shakira was funny AF 😂 It's not that safe for solo Indian women as well to travel during Holi (Madhura and Vrindavan specifically), its the alcohol, not the bhang to be honest. Can't wait for Dharamshala now!

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you so much!! 😁 Yeah, sounds about right, I saw very few Indian women as well... See you in Dharamshala 😇

[@lord.1147]

wellcome To. Land of mountain . Iam waiting your next vedio ❤ Himachal

[@siddharth_dash18]

Hi...how r u?.... As usual you are spot on...i appreciate your effort...you r really deep diving into our culture and not afraid to explore new things...this also shows your character..tat how mentally tough and strong you are...holi celebrations in north is really different from rest part of india...above all i can feel u had really enjoyed holi celebration... neglecting the few hiccups...waiting and excited for your next video...

[@SophiaGarbay]

Hi Siddarth, nice to see you're still following the journey 😄 Thank you for everything you said, I really appreciate it 😊 Yes it was challenging, but also so rewarding. And now I have memories for a lifetime! Hope you're doing good too :)

[@siddharth_dash18]

@@SophiaGarbay If you someday decide to visit India again...then try to witness the Durga puja of West Bengal, Ganesh Puja of Maharastra and Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagganath in Puri, Odisha...all these festivals are celebrated devotionally in our country and also you can feel a pinch of madness in the air during these festive seasons.

[@SophiaGarbay]

​@@siddharth_dash18I'm saving that in my notes for a future trip, thank you for your precious advice :) It's good to know that this "pinch of madness" is not exclusive to Holi!

[@siddhantpatel7405]

yup not only women but if you are a foreigner i will suggest to go to a private holi party to celebrate it because it gets intense with so many people on the streets. alot of people (indians) also celebrate holi on a private basis to avoid this hectic. well tbf i enjoy it with crowd hah.. its because thats how i celebrate it since mychildhood so its not odd for me but when i moved out and travelled around the world i realised its a bad situations according to foreign standards . Travel safe and have fun!!!

[@SophiaGarbay]

I understand...it is undoubtedly overwhelming so I'm not surprised to hear there are alternatives in smaller gatherings! I do enjoy the energy of the crowd as well despite how hectic it can get haha...Thank you for your advice ☺️

[@kuldeepsinghbhatti4402]

I love the way you narrate everything its gives the feeling of Documentary and the video was very well taken and edited, Loved every part of it. Felt bad about your experiences in Matura, but I think its mostly cuz of too much crowd gives lots of us the same feelings.

[@SophiaGarbay]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you!! I'm glad you liked it 😄

[@kuldeepsinghbhatti4402]

@@SophiaGarbay you are most welcome 😁 I just said what I felt after watching this video. I am waiting for more videos, keep it up and have a nice morning/evening 😁☺️🖐️

[@golmatol6537]

Mathura really has the craziest Holi scene ever in all of India. And I don't think any women of my household would dare to go out into the streets on Holi (during the peak frenzy timings) in any of the N.Indian states. There will always be a few "gropers" in that crowd (and foreign women are that special exotic fruit for them ... pardon the crude analogy). I'm a big hefty man ... yet got stripped down almost naked, by a bunch of hoodlums, with just my undies left 😝 That lath-maar Holi (Bamboo-stick beating) is very unique to Mathura city. No other city in India has that ritual.

[@SophiaGarbay]

So I've heard! I wanted to see the craze once in my life but next time (if there's one) I'll try to aim for a place less crowded. Although lath-mar Holi alone was worth it, really fun and impressive!

[@EternalEducational]

Next Simla and Manali ( Himachal Pradesh )

[@latvialava6644]

Nainital

[@Viewerknown]

Go shimla or manali it's free from chaos u can also visit Kerala..👍

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you for the tips :) I was in Kerala just before that and loved it!

[@promindxplore]

Wonderful 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you dear Revatha Bhante 🤍

[@gajendersing7600]

The incredible india ❤

[@SophiaGarbay]

🇮🇳🔥

[@Boiled_potato_69]

❤

[@latvialava6644]

Next Nainital, Uttarakhand

[@sumitnagar30]

Nice way to see India and it's nice place I appreciate your hard work really a lot I hope you meet best people and one thing more if you come to Delhi plz come to my home your most welcome we have lots and lots of cows because we have dairy so if you want to see them just reply to my comment and once again most welcome to India ❤❤❤ jai shree ram

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you for your kind words and warm welcome 😊

[@sumitnagar30]

@@SophiaGarbay it's our pleasure you come to our country

[@sumitnagar30]

@@SophiaGarbay would you want to come ?

[@bobbyeapen6049]

Keep at it, theres a world of adventure. Did you have any local dishes?

[@SophiaGarbay]

Right? 😄 Mostly parathas with every possible filling haha. And thali, biryani, butter chicken...but these can be found pretty much anywhere in India so I don't know if it's so local

[@bobbyeapen6049]

@@SophiaGarbay Yah , each state, has some epic dishes.

[@SophiaGarbay]

@@bobbyeapen6049 any favorites in Uttar Pradesh?

[@bobbyeapen6049]

@@SophiaGarbay I'm more familiar with the south, but what I heard. Aloo Kachori, Chole Bhature/puri chana, Lucknow Biryani, Kulcha-Nihari, Nargisi Kofta, Boti Kabab, paneer pasanda, Kakori Kabab, kulfi Falooda and Balishahi and Jalebi. Also check out Varanasi, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Sarnath/Kushinagar (Buddha's realm), Jhansi

[@SophiaGarbay]

​@@bobbyeapen6049awesome, thank you! Saving all that :)

[@athulkrishnaa5956]

look i think you dont know much abt the relegions there was an ancient vedic relegion which evolved to become hinduism and along came an offshoot known as jainism... then a hindu named siddhartha gauthama became buddha (the enlightened) hence started buddhism.. sri lanka was a hindu country before spread of buddhism

[@DavidJaat-cy7dg]

When is this video from, dear?

[@SophiaGarbay]

It is from this year, Holi 2024 :)

[@EternalEducational]

When was this video shoot? Didn't enjoy watching the video much and which country are you in now?

[@SophiaGarbay]

You didn't enjoy this one? :(

[@Utsav_Viradiya]

> When was this video shoot? - Read the description.

[@EternalEducational]

​@@SophiaGarbay camera angle 😅

[@YTUser925]

​@@SophiaGarbayi think something is lost in language, video is very well done, narration, cinematography, colours, very good 👍

[@SophiaGarbay]

@YTUser925 thank you very much, I appreciate it! ☺️

[@divyamrathi299]

Love from Mumbai ❤

[@themyself1212]

its not for everyone now its become really harsh and crowdy i recommonded little less crowdy so you will enjoy much better

[@SophiaGarbay]

Yeah, the crowd in the final days was a bit much

[@Rohitth.045]

Amezing Sophia 😀😀😀

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thaaaank you Rohit 😁

[@Rohitth.045]

Amezing voice 🤌🤌🤌

[@Rohitth.045]

Starting 👽 Ending☠️💀

[@mishrahimanshu9765]

U deserve more views... 💓

[@SophiaGarbay]

Thank you 🤗

[@kempegoudapatil9824]

Awesome.. consider to visit Karnataka once .

[@SophiaGarbay]

Karnataka was actually my first destination! And I loved it :)

[@divyamrathi299]

Belated Happy Holi or Happy Holi in Advance 😂😂

[@SophiaGarbay]

Let's say in advance, it sounds better hahah

[@mogheanil]

u uploaded a new video, genial

[@SophiaGarbay]

Bienvenue bienvenue ! :)

[@Praveen1991917]

People say its unsafe for women, but in general, its unsafe for even older people. Not everyone can tolerate that intense crowd and pushing each other and people throwing colors in all your holes of your body. Having said that, its the unsafe that makes it worth doing. I don't think you would get that kind of fun in private gatherings. Private gatherings feels like a boring one with no adrenaline rush. Btw, if you want that kind of madness, you can go to West Bengal during Dussehra times. Its celebrated across 9 days. Hyderabad during Ganesh Chathurti, especially on the 11th day where people immerse Ganesh idols after doing pujas for 10 days. I heard ot is celebrated very well in Maharashtra as well, but I never went there during Ganesh festival season so I have no idea, but Ganesh festivities started from Maharashtra. Onam festival in Kerala. Diwali across India. We literally have a big festival every month with celebrations across the entire year, barring 3 months in summer season as you can't tolerate the heat outside. In January, we have Sankranti. You have to be in Karra saamu, Kodi pandelu festivities in Andhra Pradesh, and also, Jalli kattu in Tamil Nadu. In February, we get Maha Shivaratri and you have to be in Sadhguru's ashram for the entire night on the day of maha Shivaratri. In March, Holi. In April, Sri Rama Navami in Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh. May, June, and July are intense summer and monsoon season so no festivities. In August, Ganesh Chathurti. In September, Dussehra. In October and November, Diwali. In December, The Christmas and New Year in Goa. So almost all year long we celebrate festivals or rather our life.

[@SophiaGarbay]

That's what amazes me most; wonderful festivals every month or so. I really appreciate that you took the time to give me all the tips on what not to miss. It will definitely come in handy to plan a trip in the future, I'm very curious to experience more celebrations! Many thanks 🙏

[@MegaMonster-m5x]

It's dashahara and I am watching a holi video 😂

[@SophiaGarbay]

Oops 🤭 hahah

[@SSPTravels]

Please don't visit crowded places. These are spiritual and ancient places literally for locals and devotees. Foreigners should not visit these places. Because a person who has lived his/her entire life in low population density areas won't like high density populated areas and not tag it as "Not safe for women." Not saying it in a bad way but to make you aware. 😊 Thanks.

[@abhishekbaruah7272]

I came I saw I subscribed I left

[@SophiaGarbay]

🫡

[@ArmanThakur-v5j]

Today is dussehra 😂🎉

[@SophiaGarbay]

Happy Dussehra! I read about it online, looks fantastic. 🥳

[@Observer9812]

Just because you don't understand what's happening, it isn't madness.

[@AK49D]

I hope your beautiful hair will be ok after all the colours goes ways .. you might need to clean them properly

[@SophiaGarbay]

Yeah it was a pain to get rid of all that powder!! But I managed haha

[@AK49D]

@@SophiaGarbay btw you have beautiful hair

[@Fusianwnw]

CCP youtuber, i dont care, just see when mathura krishna grand temple will be built like ayodhya, your propaganda will stop

[@r1a172]

Kya hua bhai??

[@lokeshparihar7672]

You were no where to be seen in the video!

[@SophiaGarbay]

Yeah, it was crazy complicated to film all by myself unfortunately..

[@dimamurasaki]

white-woman-wanna-be? you're tunisian, be proud of it!

[@alicearmand7546]

Her first video was about Tunisia ! She is allowed to see other countries 😉

[@SavitaDevi-ny5mm]

who are tunisian is it religion

[@bobbyeapen6049]

​@@SavitaDevi-ny5mmfrom northern Africa