Must-Visit Places for Holi: Of all the religious festivals in India, the ancient festival of Holi garners the most attention outside the country for its fun and frolic. A festival of togetherness, Holi celebrates the eternal and divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha and marks the arrival of spring. ‘This is India letting its hair down!’
It coincides perfectly with the Easter holidays, making it one of the best times to visit India, especially when looking for good weather and a cheerful atmosphere.
Must-Visit Places for Holi Festival
1- Mathura and Vrindavan
These are the places to enjoy the traditional version of Holi. Locals perform rituals in temples and homes. After this, they paint each other with colored water or powder. Mathura is the place where Lord Krishna was born. The holy cities of Mathura and Vrindavan will be awash with colors. The best of all celebrations is celebrated at the Banke Bihari Temple, where the celebrations begin a day before Holi. On the eve of Holi, people throw flowers at each other.
A procession starts from the Banke Bihari Temple early in the morning before Holi and travels to Mathura. On the day of the holiday, the festival of colors is celebrated at the Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura. Bhang, a marijuana-infused drink, is served at Vishram Ghat.
2- Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
Close to Mathura, the villages of Nandgaon and Barsana celebrate Holi in a completely different way. Women try to hit men with large sticks, while the men try to run away with shields. It is called Lathmar Holi. This festival is celebrated a week before the festival of Holi. A few days before Lathmar Holi people throw sweets at each other and it is called Laddu Holi. After the celebration in Barsana, the locals reach Nandgaon village to continue the celebration.
3- Udaipur, Rajasthan
Holi in Udaipur is celebrated as the day of Holika’s death. Prahlad’s demonic aunt set herself on fire with baby Prahlad in her lap. However, Holika who was safe from the fire died while Prahlad came out of the pyre without a scratch. This day is celebrated as the day of victory of good over evil. To celebrate this occasion people light huge fires to drive away evil. This is the ritual of Holika Dahan. This ritual is organized by the royal family inside the City Palace. The royal family enters the ritual venue with a procession and royal band. At the end of the celebration, a huge effigy of Holika is burnt.
4- Mumbai
The Dharavi slum area is one of the colorful destinations to enjoy Holi. During the festival, tourists can enjoy it with local children by paying a fee. A large part of the fee is given for the welfare of the children and the community. Those who want to enjoy Holi consciously prefer to enjoy Holi with the children of Dharavi. The community celebrates the festival with colors, dance, and music.
5- Shantiniketan, West Bengal
Holi is celebrated in West Bengal as the end of the winter season. This festival is called Basant Utsav (Festival of Spring). Rabindranath Tagore started the culture of cultural Holi in his Vishwa Bharati University. The students of the university wear colorful costumes and participate in many cultural activities. At the end of the festival, the students throw colored powder on each other. The cultural programs are also open to tourists.
6- Varanasi
Celebrating Holi in Varanasi, India’s holiest city on the river Ganges, is not as idyllic as it sounds. The steps, or ghats, along the sacred river create a wonderful atmosphere in the evening, when devotees gather in their best Holi attire to offer prasad at temples and shrines. But the early morning celebrations in the streets are definitely something to be ignored: the labyrinth of alleys leading from the ghats is teeming with local boys intent on spraying powdered paint on foreigners, and encounters can sometimes get a little too enthusiastic.
7- Punjab
The masculine version of Holi is celebrated in Punjab. Hola Mohalla Mela has been organized since the early 18th century. During this festival, people showcase physical ability with martial arts performances, mock fights, competitions, military exercise demonstrations, swordsmanship, and others. Many poems and discussions about the courage of men and women during war are held during this festival. The best place to enjoy Holi in Punjab is Anandpur Sahib.
8- Delhi
Delhi is a vibrant place to celebrate Holi with everyone, including strangers. If you walk on the street, every single person will spray colors on you. If you want to enjoy cultural activities, join the Holi Moo Festival. This festival is organized with more than 40 different artists from all over the world. This festival includes food, colors, dance, and music.
9- Hampi, Karnataka
All the places mentioned above are in the northern part of India. Holi is a festival that is celebrated more in the north than in the south. However, if you are in South India and still want to celebrate Holi, then Hampi in Karnataka is the best place. This festival is celebrated as a spiritual day. There are many rituals and interesting activities in the ancient temples of Hampi. You can also see many cultural activities. At the end of the festival, people apply colors to each other. There is a tradition of washing the color from the body by taking a dip in the river.
10- Jaipur
Jaipur used to be one of the most exciting places to celebrate Holi. It was called the Elephant Festival. It was celebrated with throwing colors on elephants, tug of war, folk dance and music, elephant beauty contest, etc. However, since 2012, this festival has been banned to prevent animal cruelty. Holi is celebrated with dance, music, and of course colours.
Holi in India is a vibrant celebration of colors, joy, and tradition. From Mathura’s historic festivities to Punjab’s energetic Hola Mohalla, every region offers a unique experience. Whether you seek cultural performances, spiritual rituals, or lively street celebrations, India’s Holi promises unforgettable moments. Plan your trip and immerse yourself in this incredible festival of unity and happiness!
