Highly anticipated and observed with enthusiasm and joy, Holi is an Indian festival that adds the colors of delight to our lives. This festival is filled with music, dance, colors, delicious food, and general merriment, making it a loved festival.
Honoring the beginning of the harvest season and spring, Holi spreads unrestrained joy. Irrespective of caste, gender, creed, age, and class, everyone comes together to enjoy this festival.
The Best Holi Celebrations In India: What Are These Places?
From traditional and temple rituals to vibrant parades, Holi is observed uniquely in different regions of India due to customs and cultural and regional practices. No wonder it is the highlight of the year for many!
So, if you want to witness special Holi celebrations or check out unique ways to celebrate Holi, you have a wide variety of places to visit.
Before diving in, if you are celebrating Holika Dahan, quickly check the most auspicious time to light the holy bonfire.
Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
One of the best Holi celebrations in India can be seen in Barsana in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh. It is here where you can witness the popular Lathmar Holi, where men get playfully beaten by women with 'Lathis' or sticks.
Women from Barsana chase the men of Nandgaon to beat them, while men have to protect themselves under shields. The Lathmar Holi typically takes place a week prior to the main day of Holi.
A Laddoo Holi is also celebrated in Barsana, where women playfully throw sweet Laddoos at men. This represents the playful teasing of the Gopis by Lord Krishna. Laddoos are also distributed among the people gathered there. Bhajans and folk songs praising Lord Krishna and Radha are also sung at this festival.
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
The list of the best Holi festivals in India is incomplete without Vrindavan. It is well-known for its association with Lord Krishna and Radha. The central point for all Holi celebrations is the Banke Bihari Temple, where everyone gathers for a joyful celebration and smears color on each other.
'Phoolon Ki Holi' is a famous occurrence to witness in Vrindavan, where devotees celebrate Holi with flowers.
Holi merriment continues for a week. The Gopinath Temple is another huge attraction in Vrindavan, where you can witness widows playing Holi. You can also hear devotional Holi songs dedicated to Lord Krishna, which makes Holi in Vrindavan more charming.
West Bengal
Famously known as the Basanta Utsav, Holi or 'Dol' in Shantiniketan in West Bengal is a wonder to behold, making it one of the best Holi celebrations in the world. Basanta Utsav, known as the spring festival, was introduced by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Rabindra Bharati University in Shantiniketan.
The festival is celebrated more culturally in Shantiniketan. This day marks the arrival of spring, so locals wear bright yellow clothes and smear Holi colors on each other. Rabindra Sangeet performances are also organized to mark the festival.
When you want to witness a regal way to celebrate Holi, Udaipur should be your go-to place. Udaipur has a remarkable Holi that involves the participation of the royal family. The festivity starts with the Maharaja or king lighting the bonfire in the palace's courtyard on Holika Dahan. This is popularly known as the Mewar Holika Dahan. The folk dance 'Gair' is performed around the bonfire.
A procession commences from the Shambhu Niwas Palace and concludes at Manek Chowk's residence. The royals gather with their entourage, and the festivity ends with traditional food and fireworks.
On the next day, people play with colors. Traditional Holi festival sweets and other delicacies are cooked and savored by all. Not only the royal family but even the regular people celebrate Holi with an unparalleled festive spirit in Udaipur.
Pushkar
You can find one of the best Holi in India in Pushkar, as the festival is celebrated with much vigor. The festivity starts with Holika Dahan on the eve of Holi. Everyone celebrates with colors the next day, making it a treat for the senses.
A grand feast consisting of many Rajasthani dishes and Holi sweets is prepared. Thandai and Lassi, popular Holi preparations, are also prepared.
Pushkar also hosts amazing Holi parties with lively music, making it a great pick for people who want to celebrate Holi with a modern twist. Not only locals but many tourists gather on the streets, playing with colors and water balloons, dancing, and singing. The lively crowd enthusiastically celebrates this festival.
Manipur
Yaoshang is regarded as one of the important festivals in Manipur, celebrated with music and dance. This festival is generally celebrated at the same time as Holi. But Holi is here more than just playing with colors.
Celebrated on the Full Moon day, this five-day celebration starts with the burning of 'Yaoshang', a small thatch hut or straw hut. Youngsters wear their best attires and collect donations from people's homes, regarded as monetary gifts.
The highlight is the Thabal Chongba, a traditional folk dance of Manipur. Folk songs and music fill the atmosphere on this occasion. People also put colors on each other's faces, and you will find children using 'Pichkari' or water guns to drench each other in water. Local communities also organize sports. Everyone is in a lively mood, and excitement can be felt in the air.
These are only some examples of how Holi is celebrated with much pomp. Mostly, Holi festivities start with the burning of Holika. On the main day, people celebrate with their near and dear ones. Colorful processions and musical performances are locally organized.
The best Holi outfit idea is to wear white, as it works as a great canvas for the colors. People smear 'Gulaal' (dry colored powder) to enjoy the 'festival of colors'.
The Best Holi Celebration In The World
Besides India, Holi is a huge deal in other countries and has become quite popular in the USA and the UK.
If you are interested in joining the fun and frolic of Holi, then you will find huge Holi celebrations and parties in Utah and Houston. Holi is a spiritual celebration in Utah, as celebrations are organized in the temples dedicated to Lord Krishna's temple. In Houston, the festivities include music, dancing, playing with colors, and Indian street food vendors.
New Jersey is another hotspot for Holi in the USA because of its vast Indian population. The Indian community comes together to celebrate, so you will find incredible Holi parties here.
New Yorkers celebrate Holi with positive vibes. Entertainment, food vendors, Eco-friendly Holi colors, etc., are available for the attendees. In Brooklyn, Holi is an annual spring art and music event. Music performances and playing with colors are a major part of the celebration.
Australia holds many Holi celebrations due to the presence of the massive Indian diaspora. However, the Melbourne Holi festival is a huge deal. Bollywood music, multi-cultural performances, and food vendors are a common occurrence. The attendees in white clothes also throw Eco-friendly Holi colors on each other.
In Nepal, Holi is celebrated in most major cities. This festival is a three-day event full of pomp and joy. On the first day, people decorate the 'Chir' or wooden poles with colorful cloth, which is then burnt. This is said to be associated with Lord Krishna's antics. On the second day, the symbolic death of Holika is celebrated. And on the third day, people celebrate by smearing each other with colors and throwing water balloons at everyone.
Singapore has a huge population of Indians, so the Holi celebrations are quite extravagant, and many parties are organized. Rang Barsay and Rang De Holi are two huge Holi events in Singapore. Massive crowds come together to socialize, gorge on Holi food and sweets, enjoy the party music, and throw colors at each other.
Holi Celebration Food That You Should Know
Like all Indian festivals, Holi is incomplete without traditional Holi food and Holi sweets. From deep-fried snacks and delicious Chaats to decadent sweets, Holi offers an unforgettable experience to your taste buds.
Here are some Holi dishes around the country that are a must-try during Holi 2024.
Gujiya
Malpua
Puran Poli
Masala Mathri
Kanji Ke Vade
Namakpare
Dahi Bhalle
Kachori
So, don’t forget to whip them in your kitchen and enjoy it to the fullest.
Concluding Thoughts
Holi is more than a festival! The celebration of Holi in unique ways around the globe truly highlights the diversity and richness of Indian culture. This depicts how all love Holi. So, plan your Holi 2024 in an exciting way to truly immerse yourself in the most colorful festival.
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