- Month
- March (full moon of Phalguna)
- Duration
- Two days: Holika Dahan and Rangwali Holi
- Best places
- Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Jaipur, Shantiniketan
The stories behind Holi
The bonfire, Holika Dahan, recalls Prahlad, a young devotee of Vishnu, whose father Hiranyakashipu tried to have him burned. The king's sister Holika, who was believed to be protected from fire, sat with the boy in the flames, but she perished and Prahlad walked out unharmed.
The play with colour comes from Krishna and Radha: the young Krishna, worried about his dark skin, was told by Yashoda to smear colour on Radha's face. In parts of the south, including Tamil Nadu, the day is instead linked to Kamadeva, the god of love, burned by Shiva and later restored, and it is observed as Kaman Pandigai with temple rituals rather than colours.
How it is celebrated
On the first evening, communities light the Holika bonfire and make offerings. The next morning, Rangwali Holi, is for gulal powder, water pistols (pichkaris), drums and dancing in the streets. Afterwards families share festive food such as gujiya, malpua and dahi vada.
Where to see it
Some of the best-known celebrations:
- Mathura and Vrindavan: temple Holi, including Phoolon ki Holi with flower petals
- Barsana and Nandgaon: Lathmar Holi, where women playfully chase men with sticks
- Jaipur and Udaipur: royal bonfires and palace celebrations
- Anandpur Sahib, Punjab: Hola Mohalla, begun by Guru Gobind Singh, with martial displays and langar
- Shantiniketan, West Bengal: Basant Utsav, started by Rabindranath Tagore
- Odisha: Dola Purnima, with deities carried on swings
- Manipur: Yaoshang, with sports and a bamboo hut bonfire
- Goa: Shigmo, with float parades and folk dance
- Maharashtra: Rang Panchami, a few days after the full moon
Tips for your visit
Wear old clothes, oil your hair and skin beforehand so colours wash off more easily, and keep phones in a zip bag. Crowds in Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana are very large, so book rooms early and stay with a group.
Where to experience it
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
