Holi 2023: Places Across India To Celebrate Holi
Holi in India is a festival which is highly awaited every year. This festival of colours not only paints faces but paints hearts of everyone with bright colours. Thandai( a milk and saffron drink with dry fruits), Holika Dehan, DJ, Colours and musical dance performances set the mood of the most awaited celebration in India. With temples performing rituals, colourful water gun (pichkari) parades, hands filled with bright colours, Holi is a celebration where people around the globe travel to India to take a part in this bright festival of happiness. This festival of colour bathes you with festive fever. Take your pick at the places where you want to celebrate Holi.
Holi: History and Myth
With the marking of the coming of spring and harvesting season, Holi fills the atmosphere with Joy and colors. This festival has a glorious past that dates back to the Puranas. It is a celebration of love between Lord Krishna and Radha and the victory of good over evil. Not only that but Holi is also marked as a harvest festival. According to Hindu Mythology, Radha was fair in complexion and Lord Krishna was dark. Krishna would fear that Radha will not accept him due to his complexion and would always complain to his mother Yashoda. So one-day Yadhodha playfully suggested Krishna smear Radha with color to remove the difference and then Krishna went to Radha and smeared her face with Gulal.
Not only this but there is another famous legend associated with Holi, the story of the King of Hiranyakashipu, his son Prahlad and demon aunt Holika. It is said that The king was blessed with a boon that could not be killed during the day or night, nor by man or animal, not in air, wind or fine, nor on land or water. Due to this he became greedy and made everyone worship him but his son was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship him. The king asked his sister Holika to kill him by sitting on fire while wearing a fire-shielding cloak. Prahlad prayed to lord Vishnu to protect him and he was saved but Holika burned in the fire. Later, Lord Vishnu came into the Avatar of Narasimha (half human and half lion) and killed the king on his lap with his claws. That is why Holika Dahan is celebrated as a victory of good over evil.
This is how the people began celebrating the Holika Dahan with fire and Holi with colors. With Holi around the corners, let us look at the places to celebrate Holi across the country.
Places Across India to Visit to Celebrate Holi
- Barsana
- Mathura
- Pushkar
- Hampi
- Shantiniketan
- Imphal
BARSANA, UTTAR PRADESH
Barsana is among the best and top places to celebrate Holi. This small town is located near Mathura. Holi is celebrated here with Vigour and joy full of colours and folk songs. During Holi, the ladoos are distributed among the people at Shriji Temple. This signifies the arrival of Lord Krishna to meet Radha at Banaras from Naragaon. The spiritual songs related to Lord Krishna and Radha are sung in every household and street. Holi in Barsana is filled with the sweetness of songs and colors.
Major Highlight
This town is where you can witness the most iconic Lathmar Holi. In this popular Holi, men need to protect themselves from the playful beatings of women with sticks. Women of Barsana and Nandgaon- two suburbs of Mathura take part in this festival. To experience this festival, one has to arrive a week before this festival as the Lathmar Holi usually takes place a week before the main festival of Holi. You will only get to see Lathmar Holi in Barsana and is one of the most fun-filled festivals to experience once in a lifetime.
How To Reach
By Air
To reach Barsana, the nearest airhead is Agra, which is 100 km away. You can book a taxi from the airport to reach Barsana.
By Train
The nearest railhead to reach Barsana is Mathura railway station, which is 45 km away. This railhead is connected to other major cities across India. You can hail a taxi or intercity bus from the railway station to reach Barsana.
By Road
Barsana is connected with the major cities of Uttar Pradesh. You can take both private or state-run buses to reach from major cities of India to reach Mathura or Barsana to celebrate Holi.
MATHURA, UTTAR PRADESH
The celebration of Holi in Mathura is filled with enthusiasm. After all, how can a place not be famous for Holi that has its roots there? Mathura, located in Uttar Pradesh, is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and it is said that this city has witnessed his miracles. Tourism is abundant in the city during Holi, as here you can see the rich celebration of this festival of colors in the whole country.
Being part of this festival in the city where it all started is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Visit the city of Miracles this year to celebrate Holi.
Major Highlight
Here, in the city where Lord Krishna was born, Matka Phod is celebrated every year with glory. It is a tradition where an earthen pot is filled with butter and hung high with ropes. Men try to attempt to break the pot by forming a pyramid and climbing on each other’s shoulders. While the men are attempting to break the earthen pot, the women try to distract them by throwing colors at them.
During this time, many live Raas-leela of Lord Krishna with the celebration of Holi lasting almost 15 days in various temples around the city. The popular attraction of the Holi celebration is the famous Dwarkadheesh Temple, where people and devotees gather on the morning of the Holi festival
How To Reach
By Air
The Agra airport is the nearest airhead to reach Mathura. The major commercial airport near Mathura happens to be Indira Gandhi International Airport. You can hail a taxi or bus from both airports to reach Mathura.
By Train
Mathura Railway Station is the nearest station to reach Mathura. Mathura Junction is connected to major cities across India.
By Road
A good network of highways connects Mathura to the other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, West Bengal, and other cities along with small towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby other states. You can take both private and state-run buses to reach Mathura.
PUSHKAR, RAJASTHAN
The celebration of Holi in the holy town of Pushkar begins with a bonfire on the eve of the Holi festival known as the Holika Dahan. This town celebrates Holi with great enthusiasm and vigor. In Pushkar, you will get to see the breathtaking panoramic sights which surround this holy town. The color bombs and water bombs are thrown around at each other with the crowd enjoying the festival at the maximum.
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Major Highlight
The view of Holika Dahan in this city is worth watching, as the logs and garlands get thrown into the fire and the flames go high, brightening the night sky. After the Holika Dahan ends, the people take the ashes of the fire to their homes as it is an auspicious symbol. People from around the world and the country gather here to enjoy the live music, dance performances, and colors flying in the sky, making the town look like a flamboyant heaven which only adds to the ambulance of Pushkar. Do not forget to book a ticket to ticket to Pushkar to celebrate Holi with your friends.
How To Reach
By Air
Pushkar does not have an airport of its own but the nearest railhead to reach Pushkar is Jaipur airport, 145 km away from the holy city. Jaipur airport is connected to all the major cities and international countries. You can hail a taxi or cab to reach Pushkar.
By Train
Ajmer Railway Station is the closest railhead near Pushkar. Ajmer Railway Station is connected to all the major cities in Rajasthan and other states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and many others. It is located only 11 km away from Pushakar.
By Road
The mesmerizing city of Pushkar is well connected to the other parts of the country by National Highways. Cars, Buses, and cabs can all reach Pushkar by road. You can also take both privately run and state-run buses to reach the city.
HAMPI, KARNATAKA
Holi is a common notion in North India, but it is not a major festival in South India. Holi in the South is celebrated as a merrymaking festival. The temples in Hampi and other venues in the town rumble with the celebration of Holi. Because of this reason, Hampi is among the best places to visit in the South for the festival of colors. Here, this festival is popularly observed by the legend of Kamadeva and Rati. Their touching tales are portrayed in the form of songs.
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Major Highlight
In the South, this festival of joy and colors are observed with different names, Kaman Padigai in Tamil Nadu, Kanadhana in Karnataka, Manjal Kuli in Malayalam, and Kamudha in Telangana. The festival is celebrated every alternate year in Karnataka. The people indulge in songs, dances, and colors. Drumbeats echo in the streets of Hampi, adding dynamic colors to the festival. After playing with the bright colors, people dive into the Tungabhadra river to cleanse the colors from their bodies. It is believed that dipping in the river washes away your sins. If you also want to celebrate and wash off your sins, visit Hampi this year to celebrate Holi.
How To Reach
By Air
The nearest domestic airports near Hampi are Bellary Airport (60 km), Hubli Airport (166 km), and Belgaum Airport (270 km). You can hail a taxi or intercity bus to reach Hampi from these airports. These domestic airports are connected with major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and others. The nearest international Airport near Hampi is Bangalore International Airport (350 km).
By Train
Hospet Railway Station is the nearest railhead near Hampi at a distance of 13 km. Hospet is well-networked with other cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh, and many others. You can hire a taxi to reach Hampi comfortably.
By Road
Hampi is well-networked with cities and towns all over the country. Connected by the National Highways, there is no problem in reaching Hampi by road. You can take private buses or state-run buses to reach Hampi.
SHANTINIKETAN, WEST BENGAL
In Shantiniketan, Holi is a cultural festival also known as Basanta Utsav or Spring Festival. Shantiniketan is a famous place in Bolpur near Kolkata. This Basanta Utsav was introduced by the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was inspired by the colors of Holi in the country.
During this time, in some parts of West Bengal, Dol Jotra is celebrated. In this idols of Radha and Lord Krishna are taken on a yatra in the streets.
Major Highlight
The Basant Utsav is a significant festival of Bengal culture and tradition. This festival welcomes everyone to celebrate but also welcomes spring uniquely and beautifully. Here, Holi is celebrated differently from the Northern part of India. The students of Shantiniketan dress up in Saffron clothes and sing and dance to Rabindranath Tagore’s songs. The entire university is involved in the merrymaking and smeared in various colors, adding to the beauty of this festival. Teachers and students on the campus apply Gulal on each other, a cultural program is organized for the students to show their talents and celebrate Holi with glee.
How To Reach
By Air
The nearest airport to reach Shantiniketan is the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, also known as Dum Dum Airport. At a distance of 200 km, one can hail a cab to reach the University.
By Train
The nearest railway station to reach the university is Bolpur Railway Station at a distance of 2-3 km from Shantiniketan and is well connected with the other cities and towns of Kolkata and other Indian states.
By Road
Traveling by road to Shantiniketan from Kolkata is easy. There are regular bus services both private and state run from Kolkata to Shantiniketan. Major Indian cities are also well-networked with Kolkata.
IMPHAL, MANIPUR
Imphal in Manipur also celebrates the festival of Holi but in a different style and name. The festival of colors, Yaoshang is considered one of the major festivals in the capital. This festival is celebrated for five days in the spring. People from various communities come together to celebrate this festival. Yaoshang celebration is not only limited to colors but it goes beyond that. The festival is celebrated by dancing, singing, and other traditional performances.
Major Highlight
This beautiful festival begins with the burning of “Yaoshang”, which is made with straws and bamboo. Then children go to nearby homes dressed in their traditional attires showering blessings of long and healthy life and they receive monetary gifts as a donation, this part of the Yaoshang celebration is known as “nakatheng”. The highlight of the festival is ‘ThabalChongba’ which means ‘moonlight dance’. ThabalChongba is a traditional Manipuri folk dance where people hold hands and dance and sing in a circle. Yaoshang is celebrated with high spirits by everyone in the state. This festival celebration is represented as a symbol of love and respect among everyone from children to adults.
How To Reach
By Air
The city of Imphal itself has an airport which is Imphal International Airport at a distance of 8 km from the main city. The airport is the best and easiest way to reach the state of Manipur.
By Train
The nearest railhead to the capital is Khongsang Railway Station at a distance of 96 km from Imphal. The railhead is connected to the major cities across the country and the states of the Northeast. You can take a taxi or cab to Imphal.
By Road
The road network to reach Imphal is efficient and well-connected. You can take Private buses and state-run services of Manipur State Road Transport Corporation(MSRTC) to reach the Capital or other cities of Manipur.