Holidays in India are eagerly awaited and celebrated with the utmost zeal. In India, Holi is a festival that celebrates the color of the earth and the color of the heart. Choosing the best places to visit in India for Holi also depends on the kind of Holi experience you want.

Best Places To Celebrate Holi In India

Mathura

Located in the holy city of Braj, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura is considered to be one of India’s best Holi spots. Not only is it said to be the place where Lord Krishna was born, but it is also one of the few places in India where you can see proof of his miracles. Mathura becomes a paradise during Holi as it is the place where you can witness the most lavish festivities of this festival across the nation.

Holidays in Mathura are celebrated in some ways, from morning prayers and bhajan recitals to playing with violet gulaals at Dwarkhadheesh Temple. There are also colorful processions from Vishram ghat to the Holi Gate, as well as several dance and music festivals.

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Vrindavan

Vrindavan is also one of the best places to celebrate this festival. It is the birthplace of Phoolon ki Holi. Holidays with flowers are celebrated by thousands of devotees every year in the holy city of Varanasi. These flowers are believed to revive the spirit of brotherhood among people. In Vrindavan, the main Holi celebration takes place at the Banke Bihari temple, where the first Holi rituals start.

Barsana

Barsana is a small town located near Mathura. Barsana is another of the best Holi places in India. Here at Barsana, you’ll see the famous ‘lathmar holi’, where men are pelted with sticks by women.

Lathmar Holi (Barsana’s Holi) is usually held one week before the main festival and it’s one of the most exciting Holi experiences you’ll have.

Shantiniketan

In Shantiniketan, Holi, also known as Basanta Utsav, is a huge event. Based in the city of Bolpur, in the state of West Bengal, close to the state of Kolkata, the festival is celebrated more traditionally in the area, which is inspired by the colorful colors of Holi.

Agra

Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh. Agra is one of the most celebrated places in India for Holi. In addition to the grandeur of the Taj Mahal itself, Agra also hosts large-scale Holi celebrations every year. Holidays are celebrated here with grandeur, colorful games, delicious snacks and sweets, drinks of thandai, and lively music.

There are also many colorful processions and parades in Agra during Holi, which are accompanied by folk songs and Bhajans. These are the highlights of the festival in the heart of India’s city of love. Holika Dahan ceremonies can also be seen in every corner of the country, with people lighting traditional fires to ward off evil.

Udaipur

In Udaipur, the Holi festivities begin with the performance of Holika Dahan by the royal family of Mewar. It is also referred to as the Mewar holika dahan, which culminates in a colorful parade from the residence of the royal family to the royal residence in Manek Chowk. During this time, you can also witness the traditional Gair folk dance performed by local people around the traditional fire.

Pushkar

One of the best Holi places to visit in India is the holy town of Pushkar. Holidays in Pushkar are celebrated with the utmost enthusiasm and enthusiasm. One of the most scenic Holi celebrations in Pushkar. Whether you celebrate near ghats and temples, apply gulaal, indulge in gujiyas, or participate in bhang thandai competitions, Holi celebrations in Pushkar are anything but ordinary.

Purulia

One of the best-hidden gems of West Bengal, Purulia also uniquely celebrates Holi. Home to lush green hills, rolling plains, and thick forests, the festival in Purulia takes place three days before the Holi. Traditionally called the Dol Festival in Purulia, the festival in the state revolves around the Bandhar Deul, an 8th-century temple.

There are also many folk dances performed during Holi here, including Chau, Natua, Darbari Jhumur, and Baul music which brings its unique flavor to the festival. 

In Purulia, one of the biggest attractions of Holi is Ayodhya pahar, which is flooded with red paint during the spring festival season. This is because Palash flowers are native to the area and are abundant throughout this time of year, making it an enchanting sight.

Jaipur

Holidays in Jaipur are one of the most celebrated festivals in India. During this festival, you can see the whole Pink City turn into a rainbow. Holidays in Jaipur are a series of events and festivities, with the royal family hosting spectacular events at the Palace. There are many other events taking place all over the city.

Rajasthani folk songs, dances, and the playing and sharing of gulaal are all part of the festivities.

Hampi

While Holi isn’t a big holiday in the South, it’s still celebrated in many cities and towns here. It’s more of a festival of good luck and good cheer. But one of the biggest exceptions to this rule is the city of Hampi where you will find many temples that are very active in celebrating this festival. 

Hampi’s celebration of Holi encompasses everything from the iconic Hanukkah Dahan to folk and traditional songs and dances and the color-changing festivities.

In Hampi, which is part of the Vijayanagar empire, you will also see a large number of devotees visiting the temple of Konkani gospuram during Holi. It is customary for people to bathe in the river after playing with colors on Holi. It is believed that bathing in the river will not only purify the colors but also cleanse the sin.

Precautions During Holi In India

Here are a few things you won’t want to miss. Holidays are never predictable, and Holi is no exception.

• Be careful of the colors that may cling to your skin even after washing with soap. Spray hair or coconut oil on your skin before going outside to play with your colors.

• If you can’t afford new clothes, wear what you already have.

• Be quiet and look after your eyes. The colors of Holi can be poisonous and can cause skin damage. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid playing Holi for a long time.

• Don’t worry about yourself because nobody else will care about you. Women should be wary of men who have had too much Bhaang.

• In North India, eggs and tomatoes are commonly used in addition to the traditional water balloons, so be careful.