Austrian woman says Holi colour with stones thrown in her eyes during celebrations in Vrindavan, ‘it burned like hell’

Every year, Holi in Vrindavan turns the temple town into a sea of colours. The narrow streets fill with music, crowds, and clouds of gulal as thousands of devotees and travellers gather to celebrate one of India’s most vibrant festivals.For many international visitors, experiencing Holi in Vrindavan is a bucket-list moment.However, a video recently shared by an Austrian traveller has sparked an online debate about how chaotic and overwhelming the experience can sometimes become in crowded public spaces.In the video, the traveller said an incident during the celebrations affected her eyes, turning what began as a joyful festival experience into a painful moment.The clip has since been widely circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions from viewers.

Austrian traveller shares her Holi experience online

The traveller, Britta Schlagbauer, shared the video on Instagram after celebrating Holi in Vrindavan.Along with the clip, she wrote in the caption: “Holi Experience in Vrindavan. All in one word? Crazy!” In the video, she explained that she had travelled to the town to experience the famous Holi celebrations, but said the day did not unfold the way she expected.

Watch the video here:

“Celebrate Holi in Vrindavan, but things didn’t go as planned,” she noted.

‘Holi was wild and beautiful’

Schlagbauer said the day began on a lively and exciting note as she explored the town with friends, soaking in the festive atmosphere that draws travellers from around the world to Vrindavan every year.She described the celebrations as full of energy and colour, calling it the “crazy Holi energy.” During the day, she bought scarves from local shops, noticed cows walking through the streets covered in colours, and even tried bhang, a traditional drink made from cannabis leaves.She also recalled some chaotic but memorable moments from the celebrations.“Monkeys were climbing over us. We had amazing food and visited stunning temples. Holi was wild and beautiful. And then it happened,” she said.

When the celebration took an unpleasant turn

According to Schlagbauer, the situation suddenly became uncomfortable during the celebrations.“For a moment it wasn’t just fun,” she said.She claimed that someone threw colour directly at her after picking it up from the ground.“Unfortunately, someone picked up colour from the ground with stones and threw it straight into my eyes. It burned like hell. I cried it out. I washed it out. But days later, my vision is still blurry,” she shared.

‘Holi was magical, but not always easy’

Despite the incident, Schlagbauer said she still sees Holi as a special and memorable festival.At the same time, she noted that the experience can sometimes be difficult, particularly for women and foreign travellers navigating large crowds.“Holi was magical,” she said, adding that as a woman, especially a foreign woman, the experience is “not always easy.”She ended her video with a note of caution.“Would I do it again? Maybe, but differently. Celebrate Holi, but stay safe,” she said.

Video sparks debate about Holi celebrations in crowded spaces

After the video went viral, many social media users shared their reactions in the comments section, with several offering advice to tourists visiting Vrindavan during Holi.One user suggested spending more time inside temple premises rather than on crowded streets.“You should have gone to the secret Vrindavan temple and not walked on the road. There are so many beautiful temples; for example, Shri Radha Raman Ji, Radhavallabh Ji, and many more are very beautiful,” the user wrote.Another comment advised tourists to celebrate Holi in more controlled settings.“Never, never celebrate Holi in the streets, anywhere in India.

It’s always best to celebrate it in a controlled and private environment, like in a paid club or hotel.”A third user echoed a similar view.“Tourists should always play Holi in private spaces, not on streets. It is a bitter truth.”

A viral moment that has sparked a larger conversation

Holi celebrations in Vrindavan continue to attract travellers from across the world because of their cultural and religious significance.At the same time, Schlagbauer’s viral video has sparked a wider conversation online about how visitors can safely experience the festival while navigating the intense crowds and high-energy street celebrations that Vrindavan is known for.Disclaimer: This article is based on a video shared by the traveller on social media and the statements made in that video. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims made in the clip.The Times of India has reached out to Britta Schlagbauer for comment. This copy will be updated if and when a response is received.Thumb image: Instagram