7 Best Places To Celebrate Holi In India

Holi is a popular and lively festival celebrated throughout India, where people of all faiths and backgrounds come together to smear each other with vibrant colours. The festival has been celebrated for centuries and is said to have originated from Lord Krishna's playful antics. For those looking to experience the unique and diverse celebrations, India has several best places to visit during Holi.

Here are some of the top destinations for celebrating Holi in India:

Mathura



Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India. The Holi festivities in Mathura are centered around the life and legend of Lord Krishna, and the temples here host some of the most spectacular and grand celebrations of the festival in the country. Participating in these events is an unforgettable experience that one must not miss while celebrating Holi in India.

Vrindavan

Vrindavan is a holy town associated with Lord Krishna and is believed to be the place where he spent his childhood. Holi in Vrindavan start with a traditional ceremony called the "Laddoo Holi," where people throw sweets at each other. The following day, the main event called the "Phoolon wali Holi" takes place. In this celebration, people throw flowers at each other instead of colored powder. This is followed by the "Rangbharni Ekadashi," where people play Holi with colors and water. One of the most famous Holi celebrations in Vrindavan is the "Banke Bihari Temple Holi," where people gather to play Holi with the deity of the temple

Barsana

Image credit: Narender9

Holi in Barsana is famous for its Lathmar Holi, a unique and playful celebration of the festival. In the Lathmar Holi celebration, women playfully beat men with sticks called "lathis," while the men try to protect themselves using shields. The Lathmar Holi is based on a mythological story where Lord Krishna, disguised as a gopi, visited Barsana and playfully teased the women. The main event takes place in the town's Radha Rani temple, where the women of Barsana come together to playfully beat the men from the nearby town of Nandgaon.

Pushkar

Pushkar Holi is a major attraction for tourists worldwide, seeking to immerse themselves in the traditional Rajasthani culture and experience the distinctive way in which the festival of colors is celebrated here. The festivities begin a week before the main day, with the ceremonial lighting of the Holika bonfire, which serves as a prelude to the celebrations. People gather around the bonfire to sing and dance in high spirits. The following day, known as Rangpanchami, is the main day of the celebrations, where people engage in playing with colors and water, making it a truly memorable experience.

Agra

Agra is ablaze with festive fervor during the Holi festival, which brings with it a plethora of colorful indulgences. The city's residents celebrate this Indian festival with immense enthusiasm, reveling in the joyous atmosphere as they consume glasses of bhang and engage in playful color play. There is no limit to the revelry, as people dance, party, and relish various sweets and delicacies. The Holi celebrations in Agra are further accentuated by vibrant parades accompanied by traditional folk songs.

Udaipur

In Udaipur, Holi takes on a royal flair as the Maharaja ignites the ceremonial bonfire in the palace courtyard, also known as the Mewar Holika Dahan. The festivities begin with a folk dance around the bonfire, followed by a majestic procession from Shambhu Niwas Palace to the royal residence at Manek Chowk. As the celebrations draw to a close, one can catch a glimpse of the royals seated atop decorated elephants, horses, and camels, waving at the onlookers before the splendid display of fire
works.

Jaipur

Image credit: Maciek Lulko

The Holi celebrations in Jaipur offer a distinct and remarkable experience, as the festivities incorporate decorated elephants, adding a beautiful touch of colors and garments. The Elephant pageant contest and tug-of-war are some of the activities that are part of the celebrations. Anyone who loves Holi would relish the unique experience of the Jaipur Holi.