Holi is one of the most important festivals of India, celebrated during the spring season on the last full moon day of the lunar month of Phalguna in every region of India. It is an ancient religious festival of the Hindus, known for sharing love and joy. People get drenched in colored water and have a color fight throughout the day.
Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is celebrated throughout India, Nepal, and other parts of the world with a Hindu community. It is also gaining popularity among non-Hindu communities in many parts of South Asia and outside Asia. Holi will be celebrated on 25th March in 2024 this year.
11 Different Types of Holi Celebrations in India
Holi is celebrated in various ways by different regions in India, reflecting the emotional bond among different parts of society. On this day, people sprinkle colors on each other without any hesitation, symbolizing the spirit of love and unity.
Vardhman Vacations shares the best places to celebrate Holi in India and unique ways to celebrate it.
Holi of Barsana or Lathmar Holi
The Holi festival in Barsana village, which is the birthplace of Radha and located 42 km away from Mathura, is unique. Men from Nandgaon, the land of Krishna, visit Barsana to play Holi with the girls there. However, instead of throwing colors, the girls greet them with sticks, and this particular celebration is known as Lathmar Holi. Lathmar Holi takes place around a week before the main day of Holi, and in 2024, it will be celebrated on March 24th.
Holi in Mathura – Vrindavan
Every year, people from all over India and the world come together in Mathura-Vrindavan to experience the true essence of Holi, the festival of colors, in the land of Krishna. Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, while Vrindavan is where he spent his childhood. People come here to relive the legends of Holi associated with Radha and Krishna, and to play pranks like the young Krishna played with the cowgirls called gopis. The underlying feeling of this fun-frolic festival is love and devotion.
The celebrations at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan are also legendary and last for a week, culminating in the throwing of colors on Dhulendi (March 24, 2024).
Royal Holi – Rajasthan
The vibrant state of Rajasthan celebrates the festival of Holi in a similar way as Mathura. A night prior to the full moon, a large number of people gather together and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of winter. They splash coloured water and powders (known as gulal and kumkum) at each other. Singing, dancing and the traditional beats of dhol add to the joyfulness of the occasion.
On the eve of Holi, people light bonfires to mark the occasion and ward off evil spirits. This ritual is called Holika Dahan. If you’re looking for an unforgettable regal experience, you can join the celebration of Udaipur’s Mewar royal family. The event includes a magnificent palace procession from the royal residence to Manek Chowk at the City Palace. Bedecked horses and a royal band will be part of the procession.
Eleholi Fest – Jaipur
Rajasthan is a popular tourist destination in India. The state celebrates the festival of Holi with great enthusiasm and in a unique way. The festival lasts for several days and is celebrated to remove negativity and darkness from homes by lighting a bonfire.
If you’re in Rajasthan during Holi, you can enjoy the morning celebration organized by Rajasthan Tourism at the lawns of Khasa Kothi Hotel. You’ll get to witness and experience the joy of throwing colors at each other while listening to Rajasthani folk music.
For a unique experience, visit the Eleday elephant sanctuary located near Amber Fort in Jaipur. Here, you can celebrate Eleholi, which is Holi celebrated with elephants. You’ll get to participate in various Holi programs alongside these huge but gentle creatures.
Phoolon ki Holi (Holi of Flowers) – Vrindavan & Pushkar
Vrindavan, the place where Lord Krishna spent his youth, is famous worldwide for celebrating Holi with flowers. To witness this unique floral Holi, where locals and thousands of pilgrims throw flower petals on each other with the motive of reviving brotherhood and getting spiritually connected with the life of Lord Krishna, visit Vrindavan this March.
Pushkar, one of the major tourist destinations in Rajasthan, celebrates this festival a few days before Holi. The devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate Holi with flowers instead of colors and in a unique way. They dance on the beats of drums and sing devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
Phaguwa – Bihar
Phaguwa is the name of the festival of colors or Holi in the Bhojpuri dialect, which is spoken in Bihar. Just like in other Indian states, Holika Dahan is an important part of the celebrations in Bihar too. The celebrations of Holika Dahan are similar to those in other states. On the following day, Holi is celebrated with wet and dry colors, traditional music, and folk songs throughout the day.
Holi in Maharashtra (Shimga or Rangpanchami)
The people of Maharashtra have a unique way of celebrating Holi, known as Shimga or Rangpanchami. The festival of colors in Maharashtra starts on the fifth day. One thing that you should not miss during the festival is the traditional and mouth-watering delicacy of Maharashtra, Puran Poli.
This festival is popular among the fisherfolk, who celebrate it on a grand scale with singing, dancing, and merry-making. People also make a peculiar sound by striking the back of their hands against their mouths.
Holi in Shantiniketan, West Bengal or Basant Utsav
In West Bengal, the festival of Holi is celebrated as Basant Utsav or Spring Festival which was started by the famous Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The boys and girls at Shantiniketan welcome spring in a cheerful way through music, dance, and chanting hymns, besides sprinkling colors. Basant Utsav has become an integral part of Bengali history and culture and attracts numerous foreign tourists. It is important to note that festivities occur a day earlier than the given date for Holi in other parts of India.
If you want to experience this elegant way of Holi celebration in the serene atmosphere of Shantiniketan, you can cherish the memorable moments throughout life.
Holi in Manipur or Yaoshang
In Manipur, Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is known as ‘Yaoshang‘. The festival lasts for six days, starting on the full moon day of Phalguna. The celebration begins with the worship of Lord Krishna, followed by the burning of a straw hut called ‘Yaoshang Meithaba‘.
During the festival, young boys and girls dressed in traditional attire visit each house, seeking ‘Nakatheng‘, which is customary money. It is worth noting that the traditional Yaoshang festival of Manipur was merged with Holi during the eighteenth century when Vaishnavism was introduced.
Musical Holi in Delhi
Holi celebrations in Delhi are known to be quite boisterous. If you are staying around Paharganj, be ready to get drenched in colors by shopkeepers and children as soon as you step out. People form groups and apply colors to each other until they become unrecognizable. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the city, with feasts, music, dancing, and lively parties. People greet each other by hugging and applying abeer as tilak, leaving behind any feelings of hardship or animosity.
Holi in Punjab or Hola Mohalla
In Punjab, Holi is celebrated uniquely and energetically, known as ‘Hola Mohalla‘. This celebration was initiated by Sikh Guru Govind Singh to mark the festival of Holi. However, instead of smearing colors on each other, the celebration involves a display of physical agility. The event features wrestling, martial arts, mock sword fights, acrobatic military exercises, and turban tying.
Things to Remember while Celebrating Holi
Here are some important things to keep in mind while celebrating Holi:
- Use dry colors instead of colored water, as it is easier to clean.
- Apply hair oil before playing with colors to prevent them from sticking to your hair.
- Wear dark-colored, full-sleeved clothes.
- Use lukewarm water to cleanse the color of your skin.
- Avoid wasting water during the festivities as water is a precious resource.
- Use gentle colors that don’t cause skin irritation or inflammation and are easily removable.
- Celebrate Holi with family and close friends, and avoid attending loud parties with strangers.
- Do not force others to play with colors if they don’t want to.
Remember to enjoy the festival responsibly while also being mindful of the impact on the environment and other people.
