Agra, March 17 -- More than 4.4 million tourists visited the Braj region during the peak Holi celebrations held as part of Rangotsav 2026, according to a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh tourism department and the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad. The festival began with Laddoo Holi at Barsana on February 24 and concluded at Rangji temple in Vrindavan on March 12. The celebrations included traditional events such as Lathmar Holi, Phoolon ki Holi and Huranga across Mathura, Vrindavan and nearby villages. Uttar Pradesh tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said the growing "temple economy" is driving tourism and employment in the state. "Earlier governments focused on building graveyard boundaries. Today Uttar Pradesh is moving towards a temple economy where faith, festivals and culture are strengthening tourism and local livelihoods," he said. Tourism figures during the Rangotsav period have steadily increased over the years. Mathura, the centre of the Braj region, recorded about 102.4 million visitors in 2025, compared with 90 million in 2024, 77.9 million in 2023 and 65.3 million in 2022. Officials said several infrastructure projects are developing to support the rising tourist numbers. The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad has approved works worth nearly Rs.300 crore, including an 11.8-km four-lane road connecting Mathura and Vrindavan and plans for a pod rapid transit system between key pilgrimage sites....