10 Places and Ways to Celebrate Holi in India
Where to celebrate the Holi Festival
The best place to celebrate Holi in India depends very much on what kind of experience you want. You will find activities that take place almost all of India, but they range from traditional temple rituals to modern parties with DJs, bhangs, and many colors. Look at these places, with very different Holi festival celebrations, which are most interesting to you.
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Barsana: Holi with a Stick
Hindus Celebrate Holi in India
Indian men are not always in power! The women in Barsana and the village of Nandgaon near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh beat the men with sticks, in what is known as the celebration of Lathmar Holi. Unfortunately, this event is not recommended for solo female travelers because of the disgusting behavior of men, who continue to undermine women.
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Mathura and Vrindavan: Traditional Holi
Holi Festival in India
The Holi celebration takes place at Vasant Panchami (end of winter), 40 days before the main day of Holi, in the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan, four hours from Delhi. Mathura is where Lord Krishna was born, while Vrindavan is the place where he spent his childhood.
03 out of 10
Shantiniketan, West Bengal: Holi Culture
Holi Festival, Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India
The Holi celebration as Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival) at Shantiniketan was started by the famous Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Inspired by spring and Holi colors, he introduced this event as an annual event at Vishva Bharati University there. Students dress up in spring colors and use a very large cultural program for visitors, including dances for Tagore songs. This is followed by an ordinary color throwing. Basanta Utsav has become a valuable part of Bengali history and culture, and it attracts many foreign tourists.
Purulia, West Bengal: Folk Holi
Holi celebration at the Basanta Utsav folk festival
Courtesy of Banglanatak
The three-day Basanta Utsav folk festival takes place in the Purulia district, West Bengal. It goes in the lead up to Holi and on the real day. You will be able to sing and play Holi with the locals, and enjoy a variety of unique folk art. These include the extraordinary Chau dance, Darbari Jhumur, Natua dance, and the songs of Baul musicians who wander in West Bengal. What makes this festival special is that it is organized by villagers as a way to help defend themselves. The location is around 5-6 hours by train from Kolkata, or transportation by private vehicle can be arranged. Accommodation is provided in tents and there are portable toilets too.
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Anandpur Sahib, Punjab: Warrior Holi
Nihang Sikh Shows Their Skills with the Sword During the Holla Mohalla Festival
Feel the Holi Sikh at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab ! Hola Mohalla is an annual fair that began in 1701. It was first organized by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh to celebrate Holi. However, instead of throwing colors, expect to see a demonstration of physical agility. There is wrestling, martial arts, artificial sword fights, acrobatic military exercises, and turban ties.
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Udaipur: Royal Holi
Holika Dahan at Udiapur City Palace.
On the night of Holi (March 1, 2018), people lit a bonfire to mark events and ward off evil spirits in a ritual called holika branches . For an unforgettable great experience, join in the celebration of the royal family of Mewar Udaipur. There will be a magnificent palace procession from the royal residence to Manek Chowk in City Palace, including horses and royal bands. Then the traditional holy fire will be lit and the statue of Holika burned.
07 out of 10
Mumbai: Holi Community with Slum Children
Holi in the Dharavi Mumbai area
Dharavi, the largest slum in Mumbai, is not a sad place you might expect - and especially in Holi. Reality Tours and Travel will take you to a fun (and exciting) tour of the slums, and then to the Holi party which they will throw for the community in Dharavi. Join and celebrate Holi with the locals in a safe and friendly environment, complete with color and music. 80% of the results are devoted to helping the Dharavi people.
If you are in Delhi, Reality Tours and Travel organizes a similar Holi event at Sanjay Colony.
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Delhi: Holi music
Holi dance.
Holi tends to be a rowdy affair in Delhi. If you live near Paharganj, be prepared to be colored with color by shopkeepers and children if you step outside. If you can, try and get tickets to the Holi Moo Festival (formerly the famous Holi Cow Festival). This festival of colors, moozics and madness has more than 40 Indian and international players spread over four stages. The environment is safe, and non-toxic colors are provided, along with lassi bhangs, street food, and sprinklers to make everyone feel happy. Many expatriates, as well as local residents, were present. You can find out more about Holi Moo on Facebook.
09 out of 10
Jaipur: Holi and Elephant
Decorative elephants in Holi in Jaipur
An elephant festival holds a Holi celebration in Jaipur every year on Holi night. Elephant marches, elephant beauty contests, folk dances, and tug of war between elephants, locals and strangers are all routine events. That makes Holi very fun! Note: this event has not been held since 2012 due to pressure from animal rights groups. If you want to attend the local Holi festival celebration in Jaipur with elephants, try Eleholi. There is more information about this article, including other alternatives to celebrating Holi in Jaipur.
While in Jaipur for Holi, don't miss the special Holi walking tour of Vedic Walks.
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Hampi: Holi in South India
Holi color in Hampi, India
If you are looking for a passionate Holi, southern India should generally be avoided. Because Holi is primarily a northern Indian festival, it is quite quiet in most places in the south. The focus is mainly on aspects of religion and temple rituals. However, Hampi in Karnataka is an exception! The whole city turned out to be playing Holi in the morning (perhaps for the benefit of many western tourists there), in the middle of drums, dancing, and ruins arousing the great kingdom of Vijayanagar. After that, the crowd slowly moves into the river to wash all colors.