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The Festival of Colours, arguably one of the most fun festivals for people all over India. The main motive behind this festival is a resounding victory of good over evil. Each year, people gather a day before Holi to perform a ritual around a bonfire that is known as Holika Dahan. Just as the fire destroyed Holika, the sister of the evil king Hiranyakashipu, it is the hope of people that all the evil within them is snuffed out in the same way by.
The next day is the ultimate celebration of the victory of good and destruction of evil known as Rangwaali Holi, the one that excites all of us the most. It is where people smear each other with colours and use water guns or buckets to completely drench each other in a playful spirit. On this day, anyone is fair game for any of these activities and people spend the entire day by going to each other’s houses for the same and enjoy some of the festive delicacies and sweets.
For this Holi, we at Things2do have curated a Guide with cities that have some of the best Holi celebrations in India. We hope that this guide helps you in planning your travel to any of these places in this season or keep it in mind for the next.
1Birthplace of Gods- Mathura
No list of best places for Holi celebrations is complete without the inclusion of Mathura. Being the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the city is evidence of the miracles he can perform. The celebrations here are so grand that it draws one of the largest crowds from all over India during this time. They begin right from the start of the day with bhajans, processions, playing with purple gulaal at Dwarkadheesh Temple with several dance and music performances and festivals throughout the city. And, as is the custom, Mathura’s famous Matki Phod events are organised in nearly every street to create a cheerful atmosphere.
2Rang Barse at Barsana
A small town near the Krishnajanambhoomi of Mathura, Barsana is home to one of the most unique and iconic ways to celebrate Holi. Termed as Lathmar Holi, it involves men being beaten playfully by women with sticks and generally happens a few days prior to the actual day of the festival.
Barsana actually has more than one way in which it celebrates Holi which is called Ladoo Holi. In this festival, ladoos are distributed to devotees everywhere near its famous Shriji temple, which indicates that Lord Krishna has arrived in Barsana in order to meet Radha, with celebrations all around for the most famous couple in India.
3The Colours of Pushkar
If you have not been to Pushkar yet, then now is your chance to do so during Holi. It is already famous for its Pushkar Festival which is famous all over the world and it is also one of the most beautiful places in India all year round due to its colourful atmosphere. The whole holy town becomes one big Holi party, with people celebrating near the ghats and the temples, in the streets applying gulaal, taking part in bhaang-thandai competitions and binge-eating many gujiyas which are one of the traditional Holi snacks. On a side note, now would be a good time to visit before the weather in Pushkar becomes hot.
4Gulaabi Gulaal in Jaipur
There is no doubt when anyone says that Jaipur is one of the most beautiful and gorgeous cities in India. Its markets sell all kinds of beautiful ethnic and local goods, its grand palaces and forts and, of course, its old city area with the Pink-washed buildings that has earned it the nickname it’s most associated with, the Pink City.
But during Holi, the city is completely transformed into the very embodiment of vibrancy, beginning with a royal celebration hosted by Jaipur’s Royal Family. Functions all around the city are organised with Rajasthani folk music, performances and of course the playing with colours.
5The Offbeat Celebration in Manipur
When we mention places to celebrate Holi in India, Manipur is not exactly what comes to mind right? The month of Phalguna, especially during the full moon, is a very holy month for the people of Manipur as Holi comes as a part of Yaoshan Festival, making it a celebration that lasts nearly a week. Under the magnificent lights of fluorescent lamps and the raging bonfires, a number of folk dancers and musicians perform and apply gulaal on each other in a striking and beautiful display of two cultures becoming intertwined.
Holi is a festival that gives us all a chance to reinvent ourselves. We can get rid of any past mistakes and evils and make right with everyone, and in a really fun way. It also involves food and drinks and, well, who can say no to that? We at Things2do hope that this guide helps you become part of some of the best Holi celebrations there are in India. For more exciting content and exclusive ways to celebrate Holi, visit www.things2.do
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Vaidehi Pakhale October 4, 2022
