Holi is an extremely popular festival in India and attracts a huge number of travelers from all over the world; here is our guide to prepare for this festival of colors and understand where this tradition comes from.
The festivities mainly take place in India, but other Hindu countries around the world also celebrate this event. Let’s go on a colorful journey!
Summary
- What is Holi?
- When does this festival take place in India?
- Where to celebrate it?
- How is Holi celebrated?
- Good to know
1. What is Holi?
Holi is a Hindu religious festival that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is also the beginning of a new year in the Hindu calendar. This festival has a very strong symbolism in India and brings together all castes, genders, and origins. It is also called the “festival of universal love”.
Like most festivities in India, Holi comes from Hindu mythology: legend has it that King Hiranyakashipu, who reigned at the time, sowed trouble all around him. Arrogant, he was very demanding and wanted everyone to bow down to him. His son, Prahlad, however, did not see it that way and preferred the god Vishnu.
The king then wanted to get rid of his own son and tried to kill him several times, in vain. He then asked for help from his sister who had the gift of not fearing fire. The king challenged his son to lie down next to his aunt in the flames and to his great surprise, he accepted and succeeded.
Prahlad was rewarded for his courage and devotion by the gods and it is from this story that the Indians see in Holi a new beginning of optimism, the victory of good over evil: an ode to life, love, fertility, joy, and sharing!
The faces are colorful, and smiling, there is a lot of joy and energy in the streets during these gatherings. It is a unique and intense celebration not to be missed during a trip to India…
2. When does this festival take place in India?
It takes place on the spring equinox, during the full moon of the month of Phaguna (between February and March). The exact day therefore changes every year, it was March 14 and 15 this year 2025. Depending on the location, it is not uncommon for the festivities to last a week in total.
3. Where to celebrate it?
Traditionally, this festival was celebrated in the north of the country and the festivities are the most impressive, but southern India also has a large number of gatherings.
Vrindavan and Mathura
Holi celebrates the god of Hindu mythology, Krishna, who was born in Mathura, a sacred city in India, and who grew up in another nearby city: Vrindavan. These two places are thus a symbol for the traditional Holi festival.
In Vrindavan, the Banke Bihari temple is a symbolic place for Hindu believers who gather to celebrate this festival. The priests gather and sprinkle the believers with colored powders, accompanied by loud music.
In Mathura, the festivities take place in the Dwarkadheesh temple where locals and curious tourists crowd together to attend the various ceremonies during their walk.
Barsana
50km from Mathura, in the city of Barsana; the atmosphere is totally different since the “Lathmaar Holi” festival is celebrated here, which recreates a famous legend. Hindu mythology tells that Krishna was chased from his village by women armed with sticks while he wanted to join his love, Radha.
Here, the women are then dressed in magnificent saris and perform dances and songs accompanied by the men.
Rajasthan: in Pushkar, Jaipur and Udaipur (among others)
In the north of India, Rajasthan is one of the most visited regions of the country and also the place where Holi has greater importance. In Pushkar, which is a very pleasant and quite touristy city, foreign visitors mingle with locals who are partying and covered in colored powders. Udaipur is also a pretty city that is very dynamic and which, like Jaipur, brings together all the individuals around unique festivities.
In the Rajasthan region, the city of Jodhpur, Delhi, and its famous Taj Mahal or Agra are also very lively and festive during this period. In the Shekhawati region, in Mandawa, and in the Thar desert, stroll among the magnificent havelis and enjoy a magical, colorful, and unique atmosphere!
4. How is Holi celebrated?
In the streets
Many processions take place in temples and palaces, where Indians gather on foot (but also on motorbikes for a large number). All these vehicles move forward together with a concert of horns that echoes the many troupes of musicians who walk the streets with their instruments. Everyone is happy, euphoric and having fun throwing colored powder everywhere while shouting “Happy Holi”.
Each color pigment has a very specific meaning:
- Red for joy and love
- Blue for vitality
- Green for harmony
- Orange for optimism
- Yellow for faith
Everyone ends up very quickly covered in colors from head to toe…
The children equip themselves with water pistols and balloons filled with water and powder and have fun spraying the tourists who pass in the streets (and who are privileged targets during these festivities).
At night, the locals burn the pyres in order to destroy evil and start a new year on a positive and good basis.
In a family or during private parties
For this occasion, many hotels organize private parties in their garden, this practice is a little less authentic but still allows you to participate in this celebration without having to mingle with too large a crowd. You will find musicians, color, and culinary specialties to taste for lunch! For example, you can taste the delicious thandai: an iced milk accompanied by almonds, cardamom, and other spices.
The best way to discover Holi and its traditions is to celebrate it in Indian families, far from all the hustle and bustle in the streets. You will be able to share very good moments of exchange, around a traditional meal and learn more about their culture.
5. Good to know
Colored powders (called gulal)
While most powders are artificial and chemical, natural powders can also be found in the market, made from cornstarch, as well as flowers and spices, which gives them their color, and they also smell nice!
The powders themselves don’t leave much stains, but combined with water they can stay on clothes and skin for several days, even after bathing; so it’s best not to buy very expensive clothes for Holi.
Clothing
If you participate in these celebrations, you will inevitably be covered from head to toe with colored powder, so it’s better to wear clothes that are not too expensive.
In the Indian tradition, locals wear white “kurtas”: a typical costume. You can find these in the market for a few rupees.
In all cases, clothes that cover the body (long sleeves) and closed shoes (water shoes, for example) are ideal.
Alcohol
Before participating in Holi, you should know that it is a festival where locals gather in large numbers and where large amounts of alcohol are consumed. Some drinks such as Bhang Lassi and Bhang Thandai also often contain varying amounts of Bhang. The celebrations usually start late in the morning and so it is not impossible to see large numbers of drunk people on the streets during the day, afternoon and especially at night.
Traveling as a single woman
One of the most frequently discussed topics about Holi is the question of whether a single woman can travel to Holi. During this festival, in fact, mostly men are seen on the streets. Indians are curious by nature and love taking pictures with tourists, especially women. Consuming alcohol during Holi can throw away all inhibitions and create situations that can get out of control. However, with a little caution, it is completely possible to enjoy this traditional festival to the fullest.
Celebrating Holi with others allows you to experience this moment differently: local guides organize excursions during this period and you may find yourself with a small group. In addition, being with a local family offers an unforgettable immersion into the daily life of the inhabitants and the celebration of this moment.
