Best Places to Celebrate the Festival of Holi in India

Holi is celebrated in March on the day after the full moon. Holi 2023 will begin on 7 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.

Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India

1. Lathmar Holi, Barsana, Uttar Pradesh

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. Men wear turbans and hold shields above their heads to protect themselves from women who are hitting them in the mock battle.

2. Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

In Vrindavan, the holi festival begin on Vasant Panchami with a traditional puja of worshipping Lord Krishna. Coming to the quirky part, Matki Phod is celebrated, a historical tradition where an earthen pot is filled with butter and hung high by a rope. The celebrations last 16 days with live Raas-leelas of Krishna in various temples across the region. 

3. Basanta Utsav, Shantiniketan, West Bengal

Holi in Shantiniketan is a cultural festival. Inspired by the colours 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 throwing of colours. 

4. Hola Mohalla, Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

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 art skills while shouting their heart out. Although Holi is celebrated without showering colours, during Holi, the peasant woman of the state, enhance their walls and courtyards with paintings known as Chowkpoorana.

5. Rasaganga Holi Utsav, Yaoshang, Manipur

The festival of Holi merges with Yaoshang and is celebrated with dance and music. The festivities begin with the burning of hay and twigs which is followed by a folk dance called Thabal Chongba. The drums and rhythmic beats fill the night of full moon with folk songs and dances. People play with Gulal amidst bonfires and bright lamps wearing traditional yellow and white turbans. On the final day, people visit the Krishna temple in a large procession where various cultural activities are held.

6. Braj ki Holi - UP

The people of Braj, celebrate the festival of colors in an exotic way. It is believed that the celebration of Holi started in Braj, which is the considered as the homeland of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.

At Braj, Holi begins on the first day of Amavasi in the month of Phalgun but the festivities begin from the day of Ekadashi. In India, only one or two days’ official holiday is declared for the festival but at Braj, people get off for eight days to celebrate this festival of colors.

7.  Udaipur and Jaipur, Rajasthan 

On the eve of Holi in India, a ritual called Holika Dahan is celebrated where the locals light bonfires to chase the evil spirits. The Mewar family of Udaipur grandly celebrates the festival. The crowd goes on a procession from the royal residence to Manek Chowk of the city palace. The parade is adorned with colourful elephants and horses with the royal band following. The elephant festival falls on the same day that includes the elephant polo game, stunning elephant dances and an eccentric tug of war between a group of men and women against an elephant. 

Holi Safety Information & Tips

• Wear a generous amount of sunscreen on exposed areas
• Apply oil to your hair to protect them from harsh chemicals
• Make sure to buy organic, eco-friendly Holi colors
• If out in the sun for a longer duration, make sure to keep yourself hydrated
• Save water by using water guns and dry colors
• Keep a medical kit handy for emergencies
• Take a bath after Holi with curd, turmeric, and gram flour as it helps to remove colors properly

So, choose your favorite destination and celebrate the joy with colors that paint your skin and tint your soul with happiness. No matter where you go, a unique experience is waiting for you to enrich your visit and make the festival a beautiful memory.