March 3, 2023
Holi is one of the country's most vibrant and cherished festivals. Holi is a colour festival observed with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout India. However, some Indian cities are better known for their Holi festivities than others. In this blog, let's visit some colourful cities in India where Holi makes you feel like you are in heaven.
Holi, celebrated in India, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, marking the onset of spring and the end of winter. Rooted in Hindu mythology, it commemorates various legends, including the burning of the demoness Holika by Lord Vishnu and the divine love of Radha and Krishna. This festival promotes unity, forgiveness, and the breaking down of social barriers as people come together, drenched in vibrant colors. Holi transcends religious and cultural boundaries, embodying joy, renewal, and the rejuvenation of nature. It fosters a sense of community, reinforcing bonds while spreading happiness and merriment across the nation.
Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan, is one of India's most famous Holi destinations. Holi in Jaipur is a colourful and lively event, and there are several reasons why you should go. Jaipur is the land of the kingdom and has many places that lie among the list of best Historical Places In India.
For starters, the city's markets come alive with colour during Holi, and people smear coloured powder on each other and hurl water balloons at each other. People, music, and food fill the streets, producing an electrifying atmosphere that is difficult to resist.
Second, the city's palaces and forts are illuminated with colourful lights at night, producing a stunning spectacle. During Holi, the Nahargarh Fort is a popular place to witness the city's fireworks display.
Third, the food in Jaipur during Holi is amazing. During this time, traditional sweets like ghewar, malpua, and gujiya are a must-try, and several street vendors offer delicious snacks like chaat, kachori, and samosas.
Finally, Jaipur's Holi festivities go beyond smearing colours on each other. Traditional Rajasthani folk dances such as ghoomar and kalbelia are also done during the Holi celebrations. These dances are an important part of Rajasthani culture and a wonderful way to learn about the state's diverse history.
Discover Jaipur's enchantment with our best Jaipur tour package, where ancient history, colourful culture, and beautiful palaces await to captivate your senses.
The main Holi festival is held in Mathura's Banke Bihari Temple, which is devoted to Lord Krishna. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights during the celebrations, and people chant devotional melodies praising Lord Krishna. The devotees are showered with colored powder and flower petals by shrine priests, and the atmosphere is filled with pleasure and laughter.
The Holi festival in Mathura is more than just toying with colors and having a good time. It is also a cultural experience that provides insight into India's rich traditions and history. Mathura's Holi festival is a beautiful blend of devotion, music, dance, and colors, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.
Aside from the Holi festival, Mathura is well-known for its street cuisine, particularly its sweets. The city is famous for its pedas, which are prepared from milk, sugar, and cardamom. Mathura's desserts are a must-try and will leave you wanting more.
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In Rajasthan's desert state, Udaipur is a picturesque city renowned for its beautiful palaces, lakes, and forts. However, the Holi celebration transforms the city into a colourful and vibrant destination.
The grand procession through the city streets is one of the major attractions during Holi in Udaipur. A group of decorated elephants and camels lead the procession, followed by traditional Rajasthani musicians performing the dhol, nagada, and shehnai. People come from all over the city and surrounding villages to witness the procession and participate in the festivities.
Another distinctive feature of Holi in Udaipur is the use of natural hues. The city is well-known for its environmentally friendly Holi celebrations, in which people use natural colours derived from flowers and herbs rather than harmful chemical-based colours. This not only makes the party safer and healthier, but it also adds a distinct and refreshing twist to the festivities.
The Holi festival in Udaipur is about more than just colours; it is also about culture and custom. Traditional Rajasthani folk dances such as the Ghoomar and Kalbeliya are done by locals dressed in colourful traditional attire during the festival. You can also sample Rajasthani sweets, thandai (a traditional drink made with milk, nuts, and seasonings), and the delectable daal-baati-choorma (a traditional Rajasthani dish).
Finally, during the Holi celebrations, the city's beautiful palaces and forts are lit up, adding to the festive ambience. The City Palace, one of Udaipur's most famous landmarks, is especially lovely this time of year, with colourful lights illuminating the palace walls and reflecting off the lake below. Rajasthan in itself is such a beautiful place. Also, various platforms provide Udaipur Tour packages, Rajasthan family tour packages and Travel packages.
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Shantiniketan, in West Bengal, is a small town that provides a unique and intellectual method of celebrating Holi, known as Basanta Utsav. This festival is held by the students of Visva-Bharati University, which the renowned Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore established.
The Basanta Utsav celebration in Shantiniketan is an unforgettable event. Unlike other Holi festivities in India, which involve a lot of noise and chaos, the Basanta Utsav celebration in Shantiniketan is more cultural and intellectual. It is a celebration of the arrival of spring, and the entire town is painted in spring hues.
During the Basanta Utsav festival, Visva-Bharati University students dress up in colorful attire and perform a variety of cultural programs, including traditional songs, dances, and plays. People also sing and dance to Rabindra Sangeet, a song penned and composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
The Prabhat Pheri procession, which takes place early in the morning, is one of the major attractions of the Basanta Utsav celebration. University students and staff members walk around town singing and dancing to the beats of the drums.
The throwing of Gulal, or colored powder, is another celebration feature. Colored powder is thrown on each other, and the entire town is covered in a rainbow of hues. The Holi celebration in Shantiniketan is a more peaceful and intellectual method of celebrating the festival that should be experienced.
Aside from the Basanta Utsav celebration, other sights in Shantiniketan worth seeing include the Visva-Bharati University, the Tagore Museum, and the Amar Kutir Handicrafts Center.
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Holi is a Hindu festival observed with great enthusiasm and joy throughout India, including Pushkar. Pushkar is a small town in Rajasthan renowned for its beautiful temples and the Pushkar Camel Fair, which draws thousands of tourists annually.
People come onto the streets in Pushkar during Holi to enjoy the festival with vibrant colors, music, and dancing. The celebrations typically begin the night before with a bonfire, representing the triumph of good over evil. The next day, people smear colored powders and water on each other and pursue each other through the streets.
Rajasthan is a state of color and celebration. With its rich culture, it stands out as one of the prominent tourist attractions of the country, and with
Convenient options for Rajasthan tour packages, Pushkar tour packages, and travel packages, it caters to more warmth and hospitality.
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Flowers adorn the temples and streets of Vrindavan, and people smear each other with colorful powders, chant devotional songs, and dance to the rhythm of drums. Vrindavan is one of the Best Places To Visit In March In India for the Holi celebration. People also hurl colored water at each other, and the mood is upbeat and celebratory.
The 'Phoolon wali Holi,' which takes place at the Banke Bihari temple, is another significant event during the Holi celebrations in Vrindavan. Instead of colored powder or water, devotees hurl flower petals at each other during this event.
This sacred place makes the festival of colors more divine. What's the best part is that Vrindavan is known as the abode of love, can there be any better place on Earth to celebrate Holi?
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Holi is celebrated with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India's southern Karnataka. The Holi festival in Hampi is known as Kamala Holi, and it takes place in the Kamalapuram village, about 10 kilometres from Hampi.
A grand procession of elephants is brought out during the Kamala Holi celebration, and people throw colours and flowers on the elephants. People from all over the region gather to watch the procession, accompanied by music and dance. A special pooja (worship) is performed in the evening at the Virupaksha Temple, one of Hampi's most important temples.
With our customised Karnataka tour package, you can see the intriguing remains of Hampi.
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Holi is widely observed in the western coastal state of Goa, India. The way Holi is celebrated in Goa differs from how the festival is celebrated in other areas of India. Holi is known as the 'Shigmo Festival' in Goa, where it is observed on the beaches.
People assemble on the beaches of Goa during Holi to throw colors, dance, and sing along to live music. Locals and visitors alike flock to the beaches to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Several Holi parties are organized at beach shacks, hotels, and resorts, where people can enjoy food, drinks, and music while playing with colors. Many Goa tour Packages offer Holi celebration events in their trip itinirary.
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People assemble in public places the day before Holi to light bonfires to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Holika Dahan is the name given to this site. People assemble in the streets on Holi to play with colors, water guns, and water balloons. They also sprinkle gulal (colored powder) on each other's cheeks and exchange Holi greetings. At the time of Holi, many Delhi Tour Packages offer Holi celebration events in its itinirary.
Apart from the traditional methods of celebrating Holi, several modern celebrations are also held in Delhi. Music festivals, street parties, and community events are held throughout the city, and people gather to enjoy the celebration through music, dance, and food.
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Holi, also known as Phakuwa or Dol Jatra in India's northeastern Assam, is observed with great joy and enthusiasm. The Holi celebration in Assam is a unique experience that blends traditional Holi celebrations with local customs and traditions and you can book on most of the North East Tour Packages.
On Holi, people in Assam attend temples and splash colored water on each other. They also chant and dance to traditional instruments like the dhol, Pepa (a type of horn), and taal (a type of cymbal). The festival is grandly observed throughout Assam, including Guwahati, Tezpur, and Jorhat.
Holi in Barsana, the famous Holi in India, is a very unique and interesting festival in India. It happens in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the small village of Barsana, close to Mathura. Here, women use sticks lightly, hitting men as part of the fun when they celebrate this event. Even though it is quite unusual, Lathmar Holi has turned into a famous and easily identified method to celebrate the festival.
The cheerful giggles of women participating in this distinct kind of festivity make for an energetic and memorable environment. Barsana's Holi is known as the top place to celebrate Holi in India, similar to the lively atmosphere of Mathura's Holi. The mix of old customs, joy, and deep culture makes Barsana the best place to celebrate Holi in India. It draws people from many places who come to join in the celebrations.
In the scenic area of Purulia in West Bengal, there is a colorful folk festival called Basanta Utsava that lasts for three days before the big Holi festival India festivities start. This event highlights the strong cultural heritage through traditional music, captivating dances, and unique forms of folk art. People enjoy themselves deeply in the music with strong rhythms and beautiful tunes played by famous Baul musicians from West Bengal.
The event showcases different traditional dances such as the magical Chau, energetic Darbari Jhumur, and meaningful Natua dance. Combining these different forms of art makes a very interesting show, and because of this, Basanta Utsava is known as one of the best Holi celebrations in India. With March coming, this event does not only fill Purulia with colours but also gives people a lovely view into how grand Indian festivals are.
The Holi festival in India in Mumbai is like a lively Bollywood movie, with real scenes that transform the sunny Juhu and Versova beaches into colourful places. Imagine hearing laughter everywhere, traditional drum rhythms mixing perfectly with new techno music beats, and people dancing at parties in the biggest Holi celebration in India. People living in Mumbai throw themselves into the Holi events in Mumbai with great energy, fighting with water balloons and participating in competitions to eat gujhiya. Holi festival in Maharashtra goes all out. It is a time when people forget their shyness.
Picture faces painted with bright hues of gulal, individuals dancing without any care beneath the vast sky, while the Arabian Sea seems to nod in agreement. In Mumbai, the Holi festival in India transcends a mere celebration. It's an epic party that carves lasting impressions. People who do not know each other turn into friends, and the city vibrates with an energy that spreads easily. The festival is a happy gathering where everyone unites to have times of complete happiness.
Holi celebration in Mumbai shows the city's lively character – it is full of energy, constantly moving, and filled with life. Holi in Mumbai makes a lasting impression on all who are lucky enough to witness this event that feels like something out of a movie. Book a Mumbai tour package and enjoy your Holi there.
In Manipur, the big festival called Yaoshang happens together with the colourful Holi festival India celebration. It starts on Phalguna's full moon and goes for six days, offering a very interesting show to see. The celebration displays many traditional dancers and music players; all lit up with bright lights and the comforting light from fire pits. While individuals happily throw coloured powders called gulal at each other, a feeling of festivity fills the air.
These festivals in Manipur have their origins at the start of Vaishnavism, forming a deep cultural bond. Yaoshang brings its special appeal to the Holi festival there with its lengthy period of festivities. The meeting of folk arts, old customs, and the play with colours turns Manipur into a cultural sanctuary during this lively period, inviting everyone to see the traditions shaping these festivities.
Holi festival in Punjab, the famous Holi in India, has a special taste that is different from other places in India, mixed with Sikh customs. People there participate in loud cheering, which brings more excitement to the celebration. In a unique show, martial arts become the main focus, highlighting the deep cultural roots of the Sikh people. As time passes, the environment changes to a lively scene filled with bright colors where everyone enjoys themselves greatly.
Night celebrations in Punjab get better with tasty food like halwa, puris, gujias, and malpuas. It is nice to eat these delicious things together. It makes everyone feel more connected. Punjab has become a top place for enjoying Holi in India, mixing Sikh customs, skill in martial arts, and the great happiness of throwing colors together, creating an unforgettable experience rich with culture.
Looking for places to visit in Holi? Bangalore, known as the IT center of India, has become a lively place for the Holi festival. It invites everyone from different places and ways of life to join in the celebration. This city changes into a place filled with happiness during the Holi event in Bangalore, where everybody, locals, and tourists, share in the holiday spirit together. Holi celebration in Bangalore is unique because it focuses on celebrations that are eco-friendly and organic. The city has vibrant Holi festivities, which are fun, and at the same time, they take care of the environment.
The Holi celebration in Bangalore is quite lively, with energetic music from DJs and bands who play live. There might be a small fee to get into some of these events, but they are great places for meeting wonderful individuals, considering many people in Bangalore come from different cities and regions. The mixing of different cultures, music, and the essence of Holi make it the best place to celebrate Holi in India. It shows how vibrant the city is. During this festival of colours, it brings people together across cultural and geographical lines.
The banks of Banarasi become very special and captivating places for the Holi celebration. When the festival comes near, these places to visit in Holi change into colorful centers decorated nicely. People from the area and those who come to visit gather at the steps by the river to take part in happy celebrations. They throw colored powders, sing songs, dance together, and enjoy eating classic foods.
Festivities start one day before Holi when a big bonfire is lit; this is called Holika Dahan. It symbolizes the victory of good against bad. The next day, the steps leading to the river become vibrant with morning groups. They throw colors and laugh together, wishing each other well among friends and family by the holy Ganges.
During the Holi Varanasi, the mood by the riverside steps is full of energy with exciting music and dynamic dance, creating a feeling of great happiness. Still, because there are so many excited people, anyone visiting must be careful, listen to safety advice, and take steps to protect themselves. Although there might be many people, celebrating Holi in Banaras at the ghats in Varanasi is a memorable experience that combines old customs, spiritual feelings, and the great happiness of joining others for this colorful festival.
In Kolkata, the Holi Indian festival of color happens with much excitement and happiness. This city has a lot of cultures, and many different people live here. Because of this, their Holi celebration is full of various traditions.
Searching for places to visit during Holi? Kolkata's heart pulses to the rhythm of Holi festivities, marking spring's arrival and good defeating evil. It turns into a place where everyone forgets their disagreements to enjoy life's common happiness together. During the celebration, you can hear songs and dances everywhere.
Holi celebration in Kolkata is different because of its special focus on being eco-friendly. In this place, they use natural colors made from flowers, fruits, and other organic things to celebrate. This approach with care for the environment goes hand in hand with the city's spirit, showing how Kolkata mixes old customs and forward-looking ideals when festivities come around. Holi festival in Kolkata is more than just having fun. It shows off a mix of different cultures, brings people together as one community, and stands for looking after nature while creating a brighter tomorrow.
Chennai, famous for its variety of cultures, sees the colorful festival of Holi not just in usual Holi places like Sowcarpet, Anna Nagar, and Kilpauk but also in new areas, including ECR and OMR. They are among the best Holi places in India. Although only some parts of the city celebrate this festival, it becomes especially magnificent in the busy streets of Sowcarpet.
Kids happily spread colors around, making a beautiful view full of laughter and friendly feelings. No matter how old, people share smiles and kind greetings, showing a feeling of unity. In this active environment, you will find someone dressed carefully, trying hard to avoid the bright colors, which brings some fun to the celebration.
In Chennai, families get ready beforehand with water balloons and filled water pistols for a day full of fun colors. In certain houses, excited women stay on balconies to join the amusement by splashing colored water down below. Holi celebration in Chennai is more than a festival and if you are on Tamil Nadu Tour Packages then you can enjoy this celebration.
Hyderabad has become a perfect spot for enjoying Holi. It combines old customs, cultural variety, and contemporary Holi events in Hyderabad in a smooth way. The city offers an energetic environment where different communities live together peacefully, making the Holi celebration in Hyderabad full of life. Famous places such as Charminar and Necklace Road turn into busy centers for the Holi festival celebrations, filled with the laughter and happiness of people from various backgrounds.
The Holi Fest in Hyderabad shows how people there accept the Holi festival, making it a place where many different customs come together. Food special to the city brings a special taste to these festivities, with tasty sweets making the celebration better. Hyderabad provides a variety of Holi festivities, from age-old customs to animated outdoor gatherings, creating a perfect spot for visitors who desire an experience filled with color and deep cultural roots in the center of India's vibrant and hospitable Deccan city.
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Besides the places where the best Holi celebration is observed, some other places are also famous for Holi.
The picturesque valley of Kashmir is ideal for Holi celebrations. The event is set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the tranquil Dal Lake. Kashmiris observe Holi zealously, throwing colors, singing and dancing, and feasting on traditional delicacies.
The coastal town of Gokarna in Karnataka is a famous Holi destination. The town is well-known for its beaches and temples. People gather during Holi to play with colors and perform to the beats of traditional drums. The event also provides an opportunity to sample delectable seafood and regional cuisine.
The picturesque Himachal Pradesh hill station of Manali is a great location to celebrate Holi and it will be great if you are on Honeymoon In Manali. The town is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush green forests, making it the ideal location for the event. People gather during Holi to play with colors, perform traditional music, and feast on local delicacies.
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The Andaman and Nicobar Islands' pristine beaches and crystal clear waters make it an ideal location for Holi celebrations. People gather to have fun with colors, dance to traditional music and participate in water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.
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So now that you know what places you can visit, then unjust pack your bags, and Go!! All you have to pack is dirty clothes as all these cities have air that can be pink, green, blue or red, So warning you if you are planning it to be fancy you can contact the best tour planner in india. Wish you a happy Holi and lots and lots of Chaat, gujiya, Thandai, and a pinch of bhaang.
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