Holi, the vibrant festival of colours is just around the corner, and we can’t keep calm! The cheerful vibes, the splash of colours, delicious food and sweets, make Holi one of the most eagerly awaited celebrations. This festival is celebrated across India with much gusto, and while the essence remains the same, every city has something unique to offer. There’s a local twist to Holi celebrations depending on where you are. If you are looking for a new experience, check out our list of the best places to celebrate Holi in India!
Considering the rise in COVID-19 cases, celebrating Holi in crowded places is not the best idea this year. So just bookmark these places for later when you can enjoy this colourful festival without having to worry about the pandemic.
Best Holi Celebration Places In India
You are never short of options when you are searching for the best Holi celebration places in India. Choose a city from our picks below that best suits your vibe. Yes! It’s that easy.
Best Places To Celebrate Holi In India
- Holi in Varanasi
- Holi in Pushkar
- Holi in Mathura
- Holi in Vrindavan
- Holi in Jaipur
- Holi in Udaipur
- Holi in Barsana
- Holi in Mumbai
- Holi in Hampi
- Holi in Anandpur Sahib
- Holi in Purulia
- Holi in Goa
- Holi in Delhi
Varanasi
Holi in Varanasi never disappoints! Grab some gujiyas to eat while taking a stroll along the ghats of the river Ganga where worshippers come together in numbers to offer their prayers. Holika Dahan takes place at various spots in the old city the night before, which is a special event in itself.
Pushkar
The holy city of Pushkar is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India! It draws people from around the world to travel and celebrate Holi. Don’t miss out on experiencing the Pushkar Holi colour fight, which is one of the biggest ones in India! You’re sure to have a blast as you groove to some Hindi music and party with people from around the world.
Kapda Faad Holi in Pushkar
The kapda faad holi in Pushkar is one of the most well known in country as well as worldwide.People gather in Pushkar way before festival of holi begins. Strangers from different cities and part of the world take part in playing with holi colours and gulal savagely. During this, as a fun part of rivalry, individual among themselves tear garments thus calling it as kurta faad holi. To see such a captivating sight, people sit on the galleries and porches of their homes since morning.
Mathura
Regarded as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura offers a religious and spiritual festive experience, and is among the best places to visit during Holi in India. The main attraction is the Dwarkadheesh Temple which hosts a big pooja on the morning of Holi that is attended by thousands of devotees every year. People come together to pray, sing, dance, play with gulal, flowers, and the vibe is just spectacular!
Mathura Holi Schedule 2022
March 17th 2022- Holika Dahan in Mathura from 21:06 to 22:16 at Holi gate
March 18th 2022- Playing Holi throughout the town, colour fights throughout the day
If you want enjoy Mathura’s holi then do visit mathura on 17th and 18th March. You get a chance to witness lathmar holi and flower holi for which this place is popularly known.
Lathmar Holi in Mathura 2022
As per folklore, Lord Krishna visited Radha in her town barsana during holi. Lord Krishna is famously known for being friendly with “Gopis, so during his meet he applies colour to Radha’s face in a jest and in turn women and elderly ladies took offence and drove him out of town. In the remembrance of such event or enacting such event till today holi is celebrated this way in and out of mathura
Vrindavan
The Holi celebrations in Vrindavan can only be described as a visual spectacle! Major events include ‘phoolon ki Holi’ in which colours are substituted with flower petals, and also ‘widow Holi’ wherein hundreds of widows clad in white gather to play Holi and celebrate the festival with gulaal as a way to oppose societal taboos.
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Vrindavan Holi Schedule 2022
March 14th 2022- Phoolon wali holi in vrindavan will start from 4 pm at banke bihari temple.
March 16th 2022- Widow wali holi in vrindavan at Gopinath temple that will start at noon
Phoolonwali Holi in Vrindavan 2022
Phoolwali Holi in Vrindavan is predominantly about blossoms. It is praised at Banke Bihari Temple, which is viewed as the holiest and most renowned sanctuary gave to Lord Krishna on the planet.
The celebration begins at around 4pm. Do show up sooner than expected for entering the temple as various devotees will come for worship. The panditji toss flowers to visitors as a blessing. The entire occasion endures 20-25 minutes.
Jaipur
The Pink City is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India, and has a lot to offer when it comes to Holi celebrations. You can choose to partake in street style celebrations in the city, or experience Rajasthani culture with local food and folk dance performances at various tourist spots.
Jaipur Holi Schedule 2022
March 17th 2022 – Holika Dahan
March 18th 2022- Holi main festival
Udaipur
Feel like a part of the Royal legacy with Holi celebrations at Udaipur! Witness the royal procession of dazzling horses from the Royal Residence to Manek Chowk. Later, head down to the local lakes and join any of the local celebrations with music, dance, and food.
Udaipur Holi Schedule 2022
17th March 2022- Mewar Holika Dahan
18th March 2020- Holi Celebration from Shambhu Niwas Palace to Manek Chowk royal residence
Barsana
The people of Barsana get together to celebrate Lathmar Holi, a unique style of celebration where the women beat up the men with huge sticks (playfully of course!), while the men try to shield themselves. Not just that, instead of colours, you’ll find laddoos being flung in the air as part of the festivities! Barsana is one of the best places to visit in Holi in India for a memorable Holi experience.
Barsana Holi Schedule 2022
To witness the splendour of Barsana holi you need to come here way before actual holi.
10th March 2022- Laddu Holi at Sriji temple
13th March 2022- Lathmar Holi at Barsana
Mumbai
With a large cosmopolitan crowd and a city with unmatched levels of energy, Holi celebrations in Mumbai are always lit AF! Many private clubs and discos host the most amazing Holi parties guaranteeing an upbeat experience like no other. Mumbai on Holi is also bustling with a festive vibe with small scale events on pretty much every street across the city.
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Hampi
If you are in the mood for a comparatively calm and tranquil celebration, the historic city of Hampi is the most ideal place to celebrate Holi in India. People gather around the banks of the river Tungabhadra to enjoy Holi celebrations as they dance to the beats of dhols and drums, throw gulal and coloured water, and enjoy delicious food!
Anandpur Sahib
Celebrations at Anandpur Sahib are quite different compared to anywhere else in India. On the day following the festival of Holi, an annual fair called Hola Mohalla takes place, where you can witness extraordinary displays of martial arts. It is celebrated for three days, and members of the Sikh community display their strength and fighting prowess by performing various martial art demonstrations, battle re-enactments, and Gatka using their traditional weapons.
Anandpur Sahib Holi Schedule 2022
18th March 2022- Hola Mohalla begins
20th March 2022- Hola Mohalla ends
Purulia
Holi celebrations at Purulia begin with the Basanta Utsav which is held for 3 days leading up to Holi. The Basanta Utsav is organized by the villagers of the Purulia district where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of folk art and music of the Baul musicians. It is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India! Conclude your trip by indulging in Holi celebrations with the locals.
Goa
You know you are going to have a good time on Holi if you are at the party central of India! Beachside Holi parties with a chill vibe in Northern Goa have always been a major attraction among the youth. Music, drinks and amazing seafood- what else do you need?
Delhi
Delhi is among the best places to celebrate Holi in India as it offers both a cultural and modern festive vibe! Check out the Holi Moo festival, an event where the best national and international artists perform. You can also choose to join the festive chaos at one of the mohallas for a more street-style Holi experience.
Delhi Holi Schedule 2022
17th March 2022- Choti Holi
18th March 2022- Dhulendi
FAQ’s
1. Which is the best place to celebrate holi?
North India, Uttar Pradesh
2. Which type of Holi is celebrated in which town of India?
Rang Panchami in Maharashtra, Lathmar Holi & HolI Milan in UP, Hola Mohalla in Punjab, Shigmo in Goa, Dol Jatra in Weste Bengal, Kumaoni Holi in Uttarakhand, Manjal Kuli in Kerala, Royal Holi in Udaipur
3. Do South Indian celebrate Holi?
Yes, ofcourse! In Kerala holi is celebrated as Manjal Kuli and Kamadahana in Tamil Nadu.
4. How is Holi celebrated across India?
Holi across India is generally celebrated for two days; the first day as Holika dahan known as choti holi while burning the efigy of holika and in the second day where actual holi is celebrated by playing with colours, water balloons, flowers etc known as dhulendi.
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We hope this list of the best places to celebrate Holi in India helped you decide which place to visit on Holi once the pandemic ends!
Featured Image: YouTube