Top 10 best Places to Celebrate Holi in India

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most popular celebrations in the country. The best places to watch Holi celebrations in India depends on what kind of experiences you want. This festival is filled with innumerable activities taking place almost all over India. These range from old-fashioned traditions, unique customs, music, dance and food to modern parties. Many places are scored by foreign travelers and journalists, as Holi celebrations are celebrated in India because of Holi celebrations and photo ops. List of 10 most popular places to visit Holi in India

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Rich in traditions and in love with Lord Krishna, Mathura is definitely one of the top places to celebrate Holi in India. According to legends, the practice of playing colors on Holi originated from the plays of Radha and Krishna. The divine city of Mathura, the birthplace of God, is at its best during the festival of Holi. From the temples to the river ghats to the Holi Gate a colorful and musical procession emerges. The celebration begins about a week before the festival. The temples are decorated, songs, and chants create a devotional atmosphere. On the day of the festival, the best place in Mathura is Dwarkadhish Temple.

Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

One of the favorites among travelers from India as well as abroad and one of the best places to photograph Holi in India, is the Holi ceremony of Banke Bihari Temple of Vrindavan. The city echoes with the stories of Radha-Krishna and celebrates the festival with traditions, devotion and peace. A week-long Holi celebrations at the highly popular Banke Bihari temple in the city attract tourists from all over the world. Holi customs are unique in the temple, as it has the role of flowers, not traditional dry or wet colors, and hence the name Phoolan Wali Holi (Holi of flowers). The priests of the temple showered the blessings of God to the pilgrims and showered flowers. Reach enough before the gate opens to get a position to close.

Barsana, Uttar Pradesh

Holi is celebrated in Barsana in a very interesting way. The women of Barsana beat the men of Nandgaon with sticks, which is known as Lath Mara Holi. Barsana was Radhas home where Lord Krishna teased the women and they reacted with friendly behavior. Go to Ladliji Temple, dedicated to Shri Radha Rani to witness the bizarre and super fun tradition. It is a fun place to enjoy the festival by playing sweet, chillai, spiritual songs and colors related to Radha and Krishna. Arrive in the city a week before the festival as celebrations begin much earlier.

Delhi, India

The capital of India is not far behind in the list of best places to celebrate Holi. The multi-ethnic city rejoices the festival with a twist of modernity. On the eve of Holi, a bonfire or holika is lit where people celebrate the victory of good over evil. The next day people play in bright colors. Wonderful parties, music, DJs, dances, cannabis etc. made the revelations. Many parties are organized to add fun. Holi Moo Festival is one of the popular events. Over 40 Indian and international artists rejoice with color, music and madness. Party with non-toxic colors, drinks, street food and sprinklers.

Shantiniketan, Kolkata

In West Bengal, Holi is celebrated as a spring festival or a spring festival. It was Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who started the tradition of spring festival at Shanti Niketan, his university, Kolkata. In Santiniketan, boys and girls welcome spring through music, dance and chanting, besides spraying colors. Experience this beautiful way of celebrating Holi in the serene atmosphere of Santiniketan, cherishing memorable moments throughout your life.

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Holi is celebrated in a grand manner in Maharashtra under the name of Rangpanchami or Shimga. The fight for color starts from day five here. People also enjoy Puranpoli, a traditional mouthwater delicacy of Maharashtra. This festival is generally popular in fisher-folk. Dance, singing and merry-making are part of this festival.

Manipur

The festival of colors is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Manipur. Everyone participates in this joyous festival, locally named ‘Yashang’ and is celebrated for five days. In Manipur, people worship Lord Krishna and then burn a straw hut called ‘Yosang Mithaba’ before the start of the festival. Young boys and girls then go door-to-door in traditional costumes, demanding nakathang or customary money.

Hampi, Karnataka

Although South India is not really popular for celebrations, Holi is a rare sight in Hampi. For 2 days, Hampi celebrates Holi with a game of colors. Against the backdrop of the ruins of the grand Vijayanagara Empire, welcome Vasant with playing drums, dancing. Vibrant colors mark the face and everything you see. Later, the crowd starts hitting the Tungabhadra river. For a simple Holi, Hampi is one of the festival celebrating places in India. Rejoice in the simple joy of the festival of colors.

Hola Mohalla - Punjab

Holi in Punjab is celebrated in a different style and full of energy, which is called Hola Mohalla. They follow a strange tradition, where they have to rip their hearts out and perform wrestling (martial arts). In the evening, enjoy the festival of colors and enjoy delicacies such as Gujhiya, Halwa, Puri, and Malpua. Festivities in Punjab vary with others, as bonfire is not lit during the festival.

Kumaon Ki Holi, Kumaon Region

Holi is special for the region as the festival begins in the month of Pausha or winter. The culturally rich Kumaon soaks itself in an atmosphere of color and sings to its hearts content.

Kumaoni Holi is broadly of three types - Baithaki (sitting), Khadi Holi (standing) and Mahila Holi. In Baitaki Holi, devotees sing the classical raga to please Lord Krishna. Womens Holi is also like Baisakhi Holi, the gathering here only consists of women. Khadi Holi refers to the gathering of the townspeople who sing in unison. The townspeople usually wear a white shirt called kurta, trousers called churidar, and a hat called Gandhi cap. Musical instruments often accompany accompanying singing. There are characteristics of Kumauni Holi which are very different from Holi celebrations anywhere in the country.