Holi in India is the time of the year that raises a toast to the country's diversity. People, regardless of caste, creed, gender, age, and whatnot, come together in harmony to celebrate the festival of colors. There are several popular places to celebrate Holi in India because of their unique cultures and vibes.
Holi 2025 Dates
Holi is celebrated in March on the day after the full moon. Holi 2025 will begin on 14 March and will end on 15 March. Although in places like West Bengal and Odisha, Holi takes place a day earlier while the festivities in Mathura and Vrindhavan commence a week early.Holi - History, Mythologies, Legends & Beyond
As the fire roared, Prahlada got encased in the cloak, which was immune to fire, while Holika burned down to ashes. Lord Vishnu then appeared in the avatar of Narasimha (half lion, half human); at dusk (neither night nor day), placed the king on his lap at the doorstep (neither indoors nor outdoors nor on land, water or air) and disemboweled the king with his lion claws (neither with Astra or Shastra) Holi Moly!
Although the festival has a varying legend all over the country, the significance of Holi is in the victory of good over evil. It marks the end of winter and the onset of spring.
1. Lathmar Holi, Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
How about some feminist festivity?
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It might sound bizarre, but hey, the truth is always stranger than fiction. In the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, Holi is not only celebrated with colours but also Lathis. Lath Mar Holi is where men are beaten up with sticks by women as per their traditions. (now let's take a moment to sink into the reality). We EAT sweets, well, people of Barsana don't just stop there. Laddoos are thrown instead of color by singing spiritual songs related to Radha and Krishna. It is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India.
2. Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Those butter hands are purely intentional!
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Read more on Holi in Vrindavan
3. Basanta Utsav, Shantiniketan, West Bengal
In the memory of Gurudev Rabindranath
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Popularly known as the Basanta Utsav or the Spring Festival, Holi in Shantiniketan is a cultural festival. Inspired by the colors of Holi in India, Tagore started it as a cultural event where students of Shantiniketan dress up in saffron clothes to sing and dance to Tagore's songs. It is followed by the throwing of colors. In some parts of West Bengal, the Dol Jatra is celebrated, where idols of Radha and Krishna are taken in procession through the streets. The Basanta Utsav is a significant part of the Bengali tradition and culture. Holi here is a typical music fest; without ear-numbing bass speakers and loud noise, the festival is incomplete.
4. Khadi Holi, Kumaon, Uttrakhand
Let's drop the beats
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Kumaoni or Khadi Holi of Uttrakhand is a serious musical affair. This holi festival in India is celebrated by the locals who wear traditional clothes Chudidaar, Nokdaar Topi and Kurta Pyjama and dance in groups singing Khari songs. The music is played by the traditional Dhol and Hurka. Later, the crowd moves in procession greeting people in the surroundings.
The celebrations last for two months. Kumaoni Holi takes different forms, such as Khari Holi, Mahila Holi, and Baithki Holi, where the songs are sung in different ragas that begin from the temple premises. The songs are sung in a sequence depending on the time of the day. Another interesting fact about the Kumaoni Holi is the colors they use. It is made from natural sources such as flower extracts, ash, and water.
5. Hola Mohalla, Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
Color Color on the wall, who's the strongest of them all?
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Hola Mohalla in Punjab is a festival to prove your strength. The warrior Holi festival is put up by the Nihang Sikhs, celebrated with great gusto by showcasing martial arts skills while shouting their heart out. Although Holi is celebrated without showering colors, during Holi, the peasant woman of the state enhance their walls and courtyards with paintings known as Chowkpoorana.
6. Raasaganga Holi Utsav, Yaoshang, Manipur
Dancing shoes are all you need
Singing and dancing during Raasaganga Holi Utsav
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8. Udaipur and Jaipur, Rajasthan
Royalty at its best
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Read more on the Jaipur Elephant Festival
8. Hampi, South India
Let's spread some love!
Holi in Hampi
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It is celebrated every alternate year in Karnataka. The Konkani temple of Gosripuram celebrates Holi in the name of Manjal Kuli. Although it's not observed with great pomp, Holi in the Vijayanagar empire of Hampi, Karnataka, is a notable event. The crowd celebrates with music and drumming amidst the ruins of Hampi and later washes off the colors in the river.
9. Holi Moo Festival, Delhi and Mumbai
Moozic, Madness and Party
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Although the list contains only the peculiar ways Holi in India is celebrated, the festivity is equally enjoyed in other regions of the nation.
Precautions During Holi in India
Here are a few things that you might not want to miss. Since Holi is a very carefree festival, there are inevitable uncertainties.- Beware of the colours that might just act clingy even after profusely washing them off with soap. Rub hair oil or coconut oil over your body before stepping out to play with the colors.
- Wear old clothes if you can't afford a new set.
- Keep your mouth shut and take care of your eyes as the colours might be toxic and might harm your skin. Hence it's advised not to play Holi for too long.
- Take care of yourself because no one else will. Women must be careful with men who've consumed an excessive amount of Bhaang. (and extra cautious with those who've not)
- In North India, people generally end up using eggs and tomatoes along with the usual water balloons, so one needs to be wary.