Holi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and also known as the festival of colors. It's celebrated on the full moon day of Phagun which comes in the month of March. Holi means something different for everyone, It could be the colors, bhang, music, fun or it could be top of the world craziness.

This festival of colors is celebrated differently in across India. And if you love travelling and want to get out of your locality to see what are the different types of celebrations and custom people have, then here is the list of best places to celebrate and play Holi in India.

1. Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon

Lathmar Holi in Barsana
Lathmar Holi in Barsana | Photo: Siddhartha Joshi

Barsana is in Uttara Pradesh and known for its famous Lathmar Holi celebration. Here women of Barsana village beat up the men from Nandgaon village with sticks and men save themselves with shields. This Holi celebration is popularly known as Lathmar Holi.

The story goes as Krishna went from Nandgaon to Barsana to tease Radha. After this, the women of Barsana chased him away. And this tradition went on and now on first-day men from Krishna's village Nandgaon goes to Barsana to tease and play Holi with the women of Barsana, although they can protect them with a shield. After this on the second say women of Barsana goes to Nandgaon to play Holi with men of Nandgaon. This is one of the unique celebrations of Holi and a must to be part of.

2. Never ending Holi celebration in Mathura & Vrindavan

Never ending Holi celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan
Never ending Holi celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan

Mathura is considered to be the birthplace of Krishna and Vrindavan to be the place where he spends his childhood. And Holi celebration is like a big festival here and is one of the major attraction for people from all over the world.

Mostly Holi celebration in India goes for two days but in Mathura and Vrindavan celebration goes for more than a month. The major attractions here are the Holi events organized by different temples across the city.

Phoolon wali Holi

Banke Bihari temple is the place where most amazing Holi celebration happens. From Phoolon wali Holi (Flower's Holi) on Ekadashi a day before the Holi, priests throw flower petals on devotees.

Widow's Holi
Widow's Holi | Photo: Arghyadeep Roy

Widow's Holi

In India, widows are always kept away from colors. But a few years back windows of Pagal Baba Widow Ashram started a new tradition of celebrating this festival of colors and popularly knows as Widow's Holi. It's one of the unique experiences and a must see.

Other places to see amazing Holi celebrations are Dwarkadheesh Temple and from Vishram Ghat to Holi Gate.

3. Folk Holi in Purulia

Purulia Holi in West Bengal
Purulia Holi | Photo: skymetweather.com

Purulia is one of the districts of West Bengal. In Purulia, Holi is celebrated with colors and Chauu Dance. Chhau dance is also in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. You will get to play Holi with locals and see different dance and art forms. As everything is managed by the villager so that makes it a different kind of experience.

4. Warrior Holi in Anandpur Sahib

Warrior Holi in Anandpur Sahib
Warrior Holi in Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is known for its Warrior Holi celebration. It was first organized by Sikh Guru Gobind Sahib to celebrate Holi. Men dress up in a warrior attire and demonstrate their warrior art forms including turban typing, sword fights, martial arts, acrobatics and much more.

5. Craziest Holi celebration in Pushkar

Colors of Holi in Pushkar
Colors of Holi in Pushkar | Photo: http://banjarastudios.com

Holi celebration in Pushkar is considered to be the craziest and maddest in the whole country. Holi celebration in Pushkar is one of the biggest attraction for foreigners and that's the reason people come to Pushkar from all over the world just to be part of this celebration.

Holi madness in Pushkar
Holi madness in Pushkar | Photo: http://whereandwander.com

On the main day of Holi, the main square of the town transform into this huge street party with hundreds of people connecting with each other through colors of Holi and music.

6. Royal Holi celebration in Jaipur

Royal Holi in Jaipur
Royal Holi in Jaipur

Royal Holi celebration in Jaipur is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in Rajasthan. And what could be better than celebrating this festival with colorful Elephants? On a day before Holi, Holika Dahan is done is a most royal way possible, especially if you are with a royal family. And on the next day colors of Holi spread all over the streets of Jaipur.

Let me know if I miss any of your favorite places to celebrate the FESTIVAL of COLORS.

Responses

Too much excited to see warrior holi, I don't know how they perform.
Holi festival in Pushkar is an amazing event on Holi and a must attend event!
Pushkar is added in the list :)