Best Places To Celebrate Colorful Festival Holi In India

Holi is one of India’s most popular festivals, signifying the beginning of spring. Although the festival has its roots in Hinduism, the festival is widely celebrated by people of all faiths across the country, as well as Indians around the world. It is a festival that is celebrated in more than one ways in different cities. We bring you the best cities that are known for their Holi celebration.

1. Sacred Holi of Mathura:

Mathura is an absolute uproar during the Holi month. An exciting celebration of Holi in the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Mathura plays host to one of the most exuberant and loudest Holi as the young and the old come together to lose themselves with unmatched gaiety and fun. Enjoy the colourful procession and colourful Holi at Dwarkadheesh Temple.

2. The Peculiar Lathmar Holi at Barsana:

Age old bizarre traditions are observed with utmost respect and reverence. Lath mar Holi is unique in the sense that women chase men and hit with sticks to show off their powers, love, fun and equality. Whereas the menfolk shield themselves! Originating from a small village called Barsana near Mathura, the Lathmar Holi can actually be said to be the weirdest way of celebrating the festival. Traditionally, the myth goes that Lord Krishna visited Radha at her village and teased her friends and the enraged women chased him away with sticks, hence the name Lathmar Holi.

3. The Spring Festival at Shantiniketan:

Bengal has a unique and elegant way of celebrating Holi. Shantiniketan is an old and premier university in West Bengal, where the great Nobel laureate and poet, Rabindranath Tagore introduced the tradition of celebrating Holi as Basant Utsav or Spring Festival. Students in colourful attire present some wonderful folk dances and cultural extravaganza for the visitors followed by the throwing of colours. Till today the tradition is followed and celebrated in unmatched zest and vigour.

4. Colors of Raas Leela at Vrindavan:

Holi is celebrated in great gusto and fervor in Vrindavan. There might be no other place other than Vrindavan to experience the true spirit of Holi. Vrindavan is place where Radha and Krishna met for their secret dates at the garden of Krishna Leela. Holi marks a grand celebration in Vrindavan with huge processions of people smeared in different colors dancing to the tunes of the musicians. Playing with colors is followed by dance of “Raas-Leela” and cultural programs. People from across the world flock to Vrindavan during this joyous time. On the ekadashi before Holi, people celebrates Phoolon wali Holi where Priests sprinkle flowers on devotees from the brink of the temples. Another unique celebration of Holi in Vrindavan is the Widow’s Holi that began a few years back to break the convention that prevented widow’s from playing with colors or wearing colored clothes.

5. Human Pyramid in Maharashtra:

The energetic Maharashtra welcomes Holi with the melody of famous Bollywood folk song, “Govinda aala re, aala…zara matki sambhal Brijbala…..” During this festival, the custom of breaking mud pot (matka) full of buttermilk, tied high on a cable is witnessed at many places of the state. People walk through the streets with a mock alert call asking to conquer of pots of butter and milk as ‘Krishna’ comes in!Hundreds of people form groups to make massive human pyramids. Their goal is to reach the matka filled with buttermilk and break pot. This is a tradition that is followed in many other parts of India as well but in Maharashtra is a quite a spectacle.

6. Holla Mohalla in Punjab:

Three-day Sikh festival Holla Mohalla started in Punjab by the sikhs differ from the entire country in many ways. The festival is celebrated for three consecutive days, in which members of Sikh community display their physical strength by performing dare-devil acts . This is followed by music and poetry competition to lighten the charged up atmosphere. Delicious halwas, puris, gujias, and malpuas are eaten and served to others. Furthermore, they have fun with colors in the evening.

7. Royal Holi in Jaipur:

The Royal Holi in Jaipur is definitely one of the most talked about Holis in Rajasthan. Nothing beats the Royal Holi of Jaipur which involves colorful Elephants!  Rajasthanis celebrate Holi by singing special songs called “Faag”, which celebrate the triumph of good over evil and the onset of spring.

8. Undying spirit in Delhi:

Holi in Delhi is nothing short of “Madness, Circus, Carnival, Naughtiness” all bundled together! Delhi is the place where music, dancing and parties are held with hookah lounge, rain dance, food and bar stalls. It is one of those cities where you will not fail to witness the roads covered with colours from head to toe. The undying spirit of this city invites even strangers and makes them feel at home to be a part of their joyous celebrations.

9. Holi in Hampi:

The heritage monuments of Hampi turns colorful on the day of Holi, It is rare to find celebrations of Holi in South India. But, due to the presence of a large of western tourists in Hampi, it is highly popular in the city. Hampi celebrates holi for 2 days with splash colors and a loud riot of music and dance.

10. Holi in US:

A Large numbers of Indians are living in Australia, America, UK and many other countries. Indian communities in these countries celebrate Holi with a great zeal. People greet each other by sending Holi greeting cards and meet their friends and relatives. They Have fun with colors and sweets.

 Haappppyyyy Hollliiiiiiiiii !!

Holi haiiiiiii !!

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