Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India 2024 - The Color Fight

Holi is one of the most important festivals of India. It is celebrated during spring season in every region of India that marks the commencement of summer. This festival is considered as the festival of colors, as people in India get drenched in colored water and have an enthusiastic color fight throughout the day. It is an ancient festival of the Hindus, known for sharing love.

Holi is a major festival observed throughout India, Nepal, and other parts of the world having Hindu community or citizen with Indian origin. It is also getting popular among non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia and outside Asia. Holi will be celebrated on 24 March - 25 March in 2024.

Holi is celebrated differently in various region of India. It strengthens the emotional bond among the people in the society as everyone loves to be a part of such a colorful and lively festival. On this day, people smear and sprinkle colors on one another without any differentiation between rich & poor. Below you can learn about other festivals of India that you can enjoy:

Travelogy India shares with you the Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India and also know the unique ways of celebration. Read Below:

1. Braj ki Holi - UP

Braj is located in the northern part of India in Uttar Pradesh. The people of Braj, celebrate the festival of colors in an exotic way. It is believed that the celebration of Holi started in Braj, which is the considered as the homeland of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.

At Braj, Holi begins on the first day of Amavasi in the month of Phalgun but the festivities begin from the day of Ekadashi. In India, only one or two days’ official holiday is declared for the festival but at Braj, people get off for eight days to celebrate this festival of colors.

People at Braj, celebrate Holi for 50 days. From the day of Basant Panchami, many places like Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Nandgaon, Dauji, Goverdhan, and Baldev, the celebration of the festival begins.

2. Laddoo ki Holi - Mathura

Barsana, which is located at a distance of about 50 km from Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh celebrates Holi in a very distinctive way in the temple dedicated to Radha. Laddoos (a kind of sweet) are distributed among the devotees that signify the arrival of Lord Krishna to Barsana from Nandgaon, to meet Radha.

According to legends, Lord Krishna used to tease Radha playfully during his visits at Barsana on this day. Therefore, Krishna and his friend were chased away by the group of girls. Laddoo Holi is therefore, celebrated the day before Lathmar Holi. The ‘Laddoo Holi’ is celebrated a day-before the Lathmar Holi.

Suggested Tour : 8 Days - Rajasthan Agra With Mathura Vrindavan

3. Phoolon ki Holi (Holi of Flowers) - Vrindavan & Pushkar

Vrindavan, the place where Lord Krishna spent his youth is famous worldwide for celebrating Holi with flowers. To witness this unique floral Holi by the locals and thousands of pilgrims, visit Vrindavan this March and get spiritually connected with the life of Lord Krishna. Flower petals are being thrown on each other with the motive to revitalize brotherhood.

One of the major tourist destinations in Rajasthan, Pushkar celebrates this festival few days before Holi by the devotees of Lord Krishna, in a unique way. In Pushkar, people celebrate Holi with flower instead of colors. The devotees dance on the beats of drums and praise Lord Krishna through devotional songs.

Learn about the valley of flowers and plan your holiday to this enchanting destination.

Also Read : A Complete Guide on Pushkar Camel Fair – World’s Largest Fair

Pushkar Travel Guide

Suggested Tour : 9 Days - Golden Triangle with Pushkar Tour

4. Lathmar Holi - Mathura

The neighboring towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, in Uttar Pradesh celebrate Lathmar Holi few days before the main celebration. Therefore, numerous tourists and devotees visit this place to witness this remarkable celebration every year. It is believed that Lord Krishna used to visit Barsana to meet Radha and teased her playfully. So, he was driven away by the ladies of the village.

Since then, the ladies of Barsana chase the men from Nandgaon (Krishna's village) and hit them with sticks. Barsana is the only place in India that houses a temple dedicated to Radha. The compound of this temple remains thronged by viewers to witness Lathmar Holi. One can enjoy Holi songs in Braj Bhasha and the people praise Lord Krishna and Radha loudly by saying Sri Radhey or Sri Krishna.

How to Reach Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is easily accessible through airways and railways. Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Varanasi and Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport at Lucknow are the two major airports that have access to numerous flights from the major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, etc.

Mathura Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Barsana and Vrindavan. All the major cities of India operate various trains to this railway station.
Contact us to get your flight and train tickets booked easily without any harassment. Feel free to call us at +91 0120 411 3120.

5. Eleholi - Jaipur

Rajasthan is one of the major tourist destinations of India, where Holi is celebrated enthusiastically and differently. The festival is celebrated for several days with the faith of removing negativity and darkness from the homes by lighting a bonfire.

Enjoy the celebration in the morning, arranged by Rajasthan Tourism at the lawns of Khasa Kothi hotel. Watch and experience the joyful color throwing on each other, while enjoying the folk music of Rajasthan. You can enjoy Eleholi at Eleday elephant sanctuary located near Amber Fort, in Jaipur. Enjoy the involvement of the huge but cute elephants in various Holi programs.

Suggested Tour : 8 Days - Rajasthan Tour from Delhi

Read More : Fairs and Festivals of Jaipur

How to Reach Jaipur

Jaipur International Airport at Sanganer is the nearest International airport that connects the Pink City to the rest of the country and the major cities around the world.

A good network of trains is also operated from every region of India to Jaipur Junction Railway Station, making it easily accessible.
Call us at +91 0120 411 3120 or Contact us for convenient booking of tickets and accommodation in Jaipur.

Read More : How to Reach Jaipur by Road, Rail or Air

6. Holi at Shantiniketan - Kolkata

In West Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Basant Utsav or Spring Festival. It was Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who started the tradition of Basant Utsav at his University, Shantiniketan, Kolkata. The boys and girls at Shantiniketan welcome spring in a cheerful way through music, dance and chanting hymns, besides sprinkling colors. Experience this elegant way of Holi celebration in the serene atmosphere of Shantiniketan to cherish the memorable moments throughout life.

Suggested Tour : Kolkata Full Day Sightseeing Tour

How to Reach Shantiniketan

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, located in Kolkata is the nearest Airport to Shantiniketan.

Bolpur Shantiniketan Railway Station is the nearest railhead to Shantiniketan, with access to several trains coming from the major cities of India.
We can help you get your tickets booked in advance so that you can enjoy the fest of color to the fullest. Contact us or call us at +91 0120 411 3120 for easy booking of tickets and accommodation.

Also Read : 20 Exciting Places to Visit in Kolkata

7. Holi in Maharashtra - Mumbai

Holi is celebrated in a grand way in Maharashtra by the name of Rangpanchami or Shimga. The color fight here begins on the fifth day. People also enjoy Puranpoli, a traditional mouthwatering delicacy of Maharasthra. This festival is generally popular in the fisher-folk. Dancing, singing and merry-making are the parts of this celebration.

Read More : Top Festivals & Events in Mumbai

Suggested Tour : 4 Days - Mumbai Sightseeing Tour

How to Reach Maharashtra

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport operates various flights connecting the major cities of India and around the world. Therefore, reaching Maharashtra will not be a matter of concern.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the stoppage for many trains connecting Maharashtra with other major cities of India.
Contact us, we are here to bear all your worries and to get the tickets and hotels booked for you, saving your time and money.You can also call us at +91 0120 411 3120.

8. Holi in Manipur

The festival of colors is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Manipur. Everyone participate in this joyous festival, locally named as 'Yaoshang' is celebrated for five days. In Manipur, people worship Lord Krishna and then burn a hut of straw called 'Yaoshang Meithaba', before beginning the festival. Young boys and girls then go from door to door in traditional costume, seeking 'Nakatheng' or customary money.

Know about the best places to be visited in North-eastern part of India.

How to Reach Manipur

Imphal International Airport is the nearest international airport located in Imphal connecting Manipur with all other major cities of India.

Jiribam Railway Station is the nearest rail head to Manipur as the stoppage for many trains, coming from other states and cities of India.
For hassle free booking of flight or train tickets or booking of hotels in advance, feel free to Contact us or call us at +91 0120 411 3120.

9. Hola Mohalla - Punjab

Holi in Punjab is celebrated in a different style and with full of energy, which is called 'Hola Mohalla'. They follow a peculiar tradition, where they have to shout their hearts out and exhibit kushti (martial arts). In the evening, enjoy the fest of colors and relishing delicacies like gujias, halwa, puris, and malpuas. The celebration in Punjab differs with others, as a bonfire is not lit during the festival.

Also Read : Golden Temple Amritsar- The Most Visited Place in the World

How to Reach Punjab

The nearest international airport to Punjab is the Chandigarh International Airport. This airport has access to various flights from all the major cities of India. Punjab has a good network of trains, as it has many railway stations connecting the state to other states and cities of the country.

For advance booking of flight or train tickets and booking of hotels, Contact us or call us at +91 0120 411 3120. We will help you grab the best deal.
Know what you have missed this March. Make it a point to visit this grand event next year.
Note: Hire an auto or taxi from the airport or railway station to reach your destinations.

Suggested Tour : 10 Days - Golden Triangle Tour with Amritsar

Sweets & Savories of Holi

People participating in the color fest are served with various sweets and savories as refreshments. A variety of sweets, savories and drinks include gujias, thandai, puri, halwa, puranpoli. It is a custom in Indian homes to serve sweets to the visitors during Holi to sweeten the bond.

Also Read :

Do’s & Don’ts in Holi

It will be better if you get indulged into the fest of colors with some cautiousness. Travelogy India is hereby reminding you few points to play safe and joyous Holi. Follow the do’s and don’ts and have a cheerful Holi this year.

Use Dry Colors: Instead of using colored water use dry colored powder, which is easy to clean. You can enjoy more with dry colored powder, as people will not run away. Powder colors do not cause irritation and people are not scared of. You can also play Holi with flowers. Use vibrant flower petals to get a unique experience.
Use Hair Oil: Oil your hair before you start playing with colors. The oil will prevent the colors to stick into your hair. And you can easily wash your hair even after getting drenched/ smeared with colors.
Clothes: Wear dark colored and full-sleeved clothes.
Nail Paint: Girls can protect their nails by applying thick coat of nail paint.
Lukewarm Water: Use lukewarm water to cleanse the color from your skin.
Bonfire: Use dry straws and wood for the bonfire.

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Don’t waste water: During Holi, people love to squeeze out the water-gun, throw water balloons or empty buckets of water to drench people involved in the color fight or over the passer-by.
Know the value of water as we are facing global warming. Water is precious and therefore, we should learn to save water.
Lessen the use of tough colors: Do not use tough colors that cause irritation and inflammation of skin. These are not easily removable and the tints still remain, while going to office and school the next day after celebration.
Family Festival: It is a festival to be celebrated with family and close friends so avoid attending the loud parties, amidst strangers.
Don’t Force: Don’t put colors on others forcibly.

Travelogy India wishes you a safe & joyous Holi..!!

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Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India 2024 - The Color Fight

1. Braj ki Holi - UP

2. Laddoo ki Holi - Mathura

3. Phoolon ki Holi (Holi of Flowers) - Vrindavan & Pushkar