Best Places To Celebrate Holi In India !!
India is a country full of festivals and cultures, Indians look forward to the festival of colors, Holi the most. The festival is all about getting together to eat, dance, throw colors at each other and celebrate the festival. Holi is one of the most prominent and happiest festivals in India. The festival of color is based on the Hindu calendar and takes place on the full moon at the end of February or early March. The festival marks the arrival of spring and thanksgiving for a good harvest. It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, and a commemoration of the burning of the demoness Holika.
Holi celebrations take place almost all over India, ranging from traditional temple rituals to the modern Holi party with DJs, Bhang, and plenty of colors. Holi festival of colors is celebrated with much fun and frolic all over India, the real celebration of this festival depends on what kinds of experience you want to have.
Here is the list of the top 8 different styles and find where you would want to celebrate it this year.
1. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
2. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
3. Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
4. Goa
5. Udaipur, Rajasthan
6. Hampi, Karnataka
7. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
8. Sangla Valley, Kinnaur
1. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh:
Do you know that the Holi celebration in India is a great experience for those who visit Mathura? Braj is the region where Lord Krishna and Radha spend their childhood days around Mathura and Vrindavan. Mathura Holi is certainly an experience for a lifetime for the believers. The colorful Holi procession commences in the late noon from Vishram Ghat and finishes near Holi Gate. The major attraction for the Holi celebration is the Dwarkadheesh Temple, on the main day of Holi, a grand celebration takes place at the Dwarakadheesh Temple. The gates of the temple open at 10:00 Am, but a big crowd gathers there already from before. Inside the temple, a leaf bowl full of gulal and flowers are placed before the deity.
2. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh:
Phoolonwali Holi is the celebration of Holi in Vrindavan with flowers and not any colors, I felt that this was quite unique. According to rumors, Radha and Krishna played their first Holi with flowers. Around 35 km away from Gulal Kund, Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan similarly celebrates Holi with flowers. Phoolonwali Holi in Vrindavan is celebrated on the Ekadashi before Holi at the Bankey Bihari Temple. After the doors of the temple open, the priests throw flowers at the believers. If you have seen photographs of a densely packed courtyard filled with people covered from head to toe in purple, red, and pink powders, this is probably where they were taken.
3. Barsana, Uttar Pradesh:
Another most famous Holi destination In India is Barsana. In another bizarre tradition that has been followed for ages in U.P, the men are beaten up with sticks by women while playing Holi, also known as Lathmar Holi. Lathmar Holi is famous for its unusual manner of celebration which begins 4-5 days before the festivities of other cities. According to the tales, Lord Krishna arrived to visit Radha in Barsana from Nandgaon. And he applied color to Radha's face to which the elder females of the village took offense. They drove him out of the town with bamboo sticks. The ritual is exciting with the celebration of Lathmar Holi. The festivity lasts for a week in Nandgaon and Barsana to surrender in colors, dances, songs, and lathis.
4. Goa:
Goa is lined with festivals and is always has on the top of the tourist radar for its vibrant festivals like SunBurn and other music festivals. The same goes for the Holi celebration in Goa. The Holi called in Goa is Shimga or Shishirotsava is a spring festival celebrated in the Indian state of Goa, where it is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community. A 14-day festival marks the celebration in the name of the warriors who left their families to fight with invaders during Dussehra. Take part in Holi parades in Goa too. There are lots of places in Goa where you can enjoy the Holi festival like Panjim, Vasco, Margo, and also Goan beaches.
5. Udaipur, Rajasthan:
For a memorable and regal experience, head to the royal city of Udaipur. Here, the night before the Holi religious affair, where people gather together in front of a Holika Dahan (bonfire) throwing in garlands and branches. There is also a procession of the royal Mewars from the City Palace and some dazzling fireworks. If you want to experience Holi in a luxurious setting, you need to book your tickets to the residence of the Mewar royal family at the iconic City Palace. On Holi, the day itself sees lavish celebration, and the streets of Udaipur are packed with people playing with colors and enjoying themselves.
6. Hampi, Karnataka:
It's rare to find celebrations of Holi in South India. But due to the presence of large western tourists in Hampi, it's highly popular in the city. In Hampi the Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm, travelers both foreign and domestic celebrate along with the locals, with sweets, gulal, pichkaris, and all other parts of celebrations. Hampi is a great place to experience the celebrations for travelers who want a smaller color fight with more of a chance to interact with the locals. During Holi, the people in Hampi are very welcoming and encourage travelers to join in the festival fun. After the color fight, most people head to the Tungabhadra River to swim and start washing away the dye.
7. Agra, Uttarpradesh:
The Holi festival in Agra sets the city at the pinnacle of festive fervor. Holi festival in Agra is a favorite among travelers with colorful powder and water thrown on the crowds along with local bhang made from cannabis. People consume Bhang while dancing, and partying. Partying, dancing, savoring sweets and other fares, and making merry knows no bounds. Colorful parades with folk songs mark the highlight of the Holi celebrations in Agra. On Holi, both the monuments will be open. Taj Mahal is closed every Friday and the rest of the monuments are always open.
8. Sangla Valley, Kinnaur:
If you want to enjoy your Holi in mountains then Sangla Valley is the best option for you. Sangla Valley is situated on the bank of River Baspa Valley is a lesser-known part of the Himalayas and one of the most beautiful valleys in Himachal. Surrounded by the high Himalayas, the valley is inhabited by the tribal people of Kinnaur. The whole people from the valley and nearby villages will be gathered in the temple to celebrate the auspicious festival of colors, Holi. They will be seen grooving on the beats of trumpets and playing with colors. The festival ends with Holika Dehan in the evening, and what makes this festival unique is the traditional way of celebrating in this tribal valley.
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