Manas Kanya
A centrally located Howly stay on the Howly–Barpeta Road, with rooms and an attached restaurant. It is a practical option for festival visitors; confirm availability and current rates directly before travel.
The festival
More than a festival.
It is a living tradition.
Howly Raas Mahotsav brings together devotion, Vaishnavite heritage, music, theatre, craft, commerce and community life around one of Howly's most defining cultural traditions.
10L+Annual footfall is widely associated with the festival, making Howly exceptionally vibrant during Raas.
99thThe 99th Howly Raas Mahotsav is scheduled for 24 November–8 December 2026.
∞A tradition carried forward through generations of faith, performance and community participation.
Howly Raas Mandir
Where the story
became architecture.
The present Raas Mandir grew from a community vision first formalised in 1994, with the foundation stone laid in 1997 and Pran Pratishtha performed on 31 January 2007.
The temple story
Nearly a decade of planning, craftsmanship and construction.
The temple was architecturally planned by D.K. Bora. White marble and granite were procured from Kishangarh, Rajasthan, with approximately 85 tonnes of white marble plates used in the project. The completed temple rises about 102 feet, spans about 62 feet in width and is supported by 20 pillars.
20Supporting pillars
102 ftApproximate temple height
62 ftApproximate width
85 tWhite marble plates
Scroll-controlled construction story
How the temple
was constructed.
Scroll through the story. The construction film follows your movement — moving forward as you scroll down and reversing as you scroll back up.
Scroll to scrub
Inside the temple
Radha & Krishna.
The central sacred ensemble includes a five-foot marble Radha-Krishna idol, along with additional marble Radha-Krishna pairs and other sacred figures. The idols were sculpted by Padma Bhushan awardee Lalu Prasad Sharma.
What awaits
The heart of Howly,
at full scale.
The festival experience
Where devotion
meets celebration.
Experience the energy of Howly Raas Mahotsav through Raas Leela, the Mina Bazaar, cultural performances, devotional traditions and the vast gathering that surrounds the festival.
Raas Leela
Mina Bazaar
Cultural Arts
Devotion
A festival shaped by time
From a local tradition
to a regional cultural landmark.
1928
The beginning
Howly Raas Mahotsav is documented as beginning at Howly Hatkhola as a three-day celebration.
1955
A new setting
The Raas celebration moved from its original location as Howly's surroundings and transport landscape changed.
1997
A larger vision
A large temple committee was formed, strengthening the organisation and long-term scale of the celebration.
2007
A new temple
The new Raas temple was consecrated, establishing a major permanent home for the tradition.
Plan your visit
Howly, Assam.
Find your way here.
Howly is connected by road, with Barpeta Road serving as the principal nearby railway station. Visitors travelling by air can use Guwahati as the major gateway and continue by road.
Swad Sagar Guest House
A local accommodation option around Howly offering rooms and food under one roof. Confirm room availability and current festival-period rates before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything you need
to know.
What is Howly Raas Mahotsav?
Howly Raas Mahotsav is an annual devotional and cultural celebration in Howly, Assam, centred on Raas Leela, Radha-Krishna devotion, cultural programmes and community traditions.
Where is the festival held?
The festival is centred around Howly Raas Mandir in Howly, Barpeta district, Assam.
What are the main attractions?
Raas Leela, devotional rituals, cultural programmes, Mina Bazaar, Mela Bazaar, food, shopping, community gatherings and the illuminated festive environment are among the major attractions.
Where should I stay in Howly?
Manas Kanya and Swad Sagar Guest House are local accommodation options. Festival-period availability can change quickly, so confirm directly before travelling.
How do I reach Howly?
Howly is accessible by road. Barpeta Road is the principal nearby railway station. Guwahati is the major airport gateway for visitors travelling by air.
When is the 99th Howly Raas Mahotsav?
The 99th Howly Raas Mahotsav is scheduled from 24 November to 8 December 2026.
Come experience Howly
A festival that
feels alive.
Come for the Raas. Stay for the culture, people, music, markets and memories.
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