Places to Visit on Holi Festival in India

Last Updated on October 30, 2023 by admin

Holi is one of the most popular and celebrated festivals in India. Whether young or old, commoner or elite, no one can keep themselves aloof from the fun of colours, Bhaang, and Thandai. The Gujiyas and lip-smacking festival delicacies further add glory to its celebrations. In terms of travel, there are a variety of options to explore during this auspicious Holi festival, and you can use taxi services in India at affordable rates.

Cab service in India is one of the major sources of travel nowadays. It has become very easy for everyone, from professionals to ordinary people. Whether looking for a local trip to any city in the country or for an outstation journey, you can book a taxi just by double-clicking on the Internet. And in the same situation, when travelling during the Holi Festival, it may be a much more pleasing moment with cabs in India. With your family, you can plan your Holi trip at the best tour packages by just making an inquiry to any cab service company.

Offbeat Places to Visit on Holi Festival in India:

This festival is the most popular occasion in India and is celebrated all over the world in different forms. In India, there are many corners of the country that have different views during Holi. And this occasion in these places attracts lots of people, not only from each part of the country but all over the world. Let’s see some amazing places to visit in India at Holi Festival:

1. Holi in Vrindavan (Mathura):

For the traditional Holi, you can visit the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Basant Panchami brings the start of the celebration and goes on till the date of Holi. In the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan, people begin the preparation for Holi long days earlier. And they decorate the temples and their homes very well. On the festival of Holi, you can see the different looks from Vishram Ghat to Dwarkadheesh Temple. You can also enjoy Phoolon Wali Holi with colour and make it feel like a different pleasure of entertainment.

2: Barsana Holi Fest in Uttar Pradesh:

After Mathura, Barsana is another spot to get pleasure during Holi in Nandgaon village. You can plan your trip with your friends and enjoy it very much here. With a cab service in Mathura, you can go point-to-point without any problem and also be safe. You will find lots of groups with “Holi Geet,” and they fully entertain the people with music and Dhol. Each street in the village would be full of people during the Holi festival.

And it will offer gorgeous views with the well-decorated temples in local Barsana and Nandgaon. Lathmar Holi in Barsana is most famous in India, and people enjoy this cultural activity very much.

3: Hampi Holi Celebration in Karnataka:

During the places to visit in India during the Holi festival, Hampi may also be a good choice while making a tour to South India. In the best places to celebrate Holi in India, Hampi would be the major after Mathura and Barsana. With the revelry and frenzy of the celebration, one can get joy from the door-to-door group musicians. And in the presence of western tourists, it becomes more attractive to the guests.

With the music and coloured powder and liquid, one can get full entertainment from morning to evening. In South India, it presents the different moments of Holi and makes it special in this zone.

4: Shantiniketan Holi Celebration in West Bengal:

The Holi celebration of Shantiniketan is another point of interest during this pleasing moment. From Kolkata, Durgapur, and Asansol, people make the visit to Holi for its pleasing moments. In the Birbhum district, Holi is known as “Dol Utsav” and attracts people from each part of the state as well as each corner of the country. With the help of the taxi service, you can make an easy journey during this time and get joy here and nearby.

5: Holi Festival in Jaipur

Though Holi is celebrated across the country in a similar fashion, some places still add a peculiar touch and flavour to this grand festival. One such place is Jaipur in Rajasthan, which is also called the ‘Pink City’. In Jaipur, Holi is played with lots of zeal and enthusiasm, and the celebrations start way before the actual commencement of the festival. People start shopping for colours, Pichkaris, clothes, and bangles on the famous shopping streets of Jaipur. The first day of Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan in the City Palace, with the Royal Family lighting the pyre.

Well, there are many colours of Holi that can be seen only in Jaipur. They are-

1: Elephant Festival

Till 2011, elephant festivals used to take place in Jaipur on the eve of Holi. In this period, elephants used to stride majestically with decorated trunks and tusks depicting the colourful and rich Rajasthani culture. Later on, it was banned, but despite the ban, Holi celebrations did not lose their charm.

2: Traditional Gulaal Gota of Jaipur

Across the nation, Pichkaris and other water-splashing toys take over the market, but Jaipur has a different taste. One can find the traditional ‘Gulaal Gotas’ or ‘Water Canon Bowls’ on the streets of Hawa Mahal and Choti Chopar. These water canon bowls are both eco-friendly and safe, as they are made up of melting lacquer.

3: Rangarang Celebrations

Rajasthan tourism gets involved in arranging special Holi celebrations for its foreign guests. It is held on the lawns of Khasa Kothi, with Rajasthani folk music, dance, and, of course, colours. JKK, or Jawahar Kala Kendra of Jaipur, is also a popular tourist spot for Holi celebrations. It includes various local folk performances and a lunch buffet.

The royals of the city organise Holi celebrations on the premises of the city palace, where prominent guests and tourists enjoy the festivities in their full splendour and gaiety. The royal guests have a whale of a time with traditional cuisines, folk Holi music, and dance performances.

4: Phoolon ki Holi

Mythologically, the festival of Holi is associated with Lord Krishna (Govind) and the goddess Radha. The temple of Govind Dev Ji is one of the oldest and most worshipped temples in Jaipur. The beauty and divinity of this temple reach their peak during Holi. Here, Holi celebrations start a week before the actual festival, which includes playing Holi with different coloured flowers, organic Abeer, and sandalwood powder.

5- Mouth-Watering Festive Delicacies

A festival without sweets sounds incomplete. The traditional Gujiya, made with desi ghee and coconut filling, is the most loved one among the Jaipurities. The other indulgences include ‘Dahi Vadas’, deep-fried lentil vadas, served along with curd, papadi, and tamarind chutney. Locals also enjoy the ‘bhang lassi’ or Thandais and ‘bhang laddoos’. These cannabis-prepared food items are specifically enjoyed on the day of Dhulandi.

6- Bollywood Theme Parties

Jaipur houses a number of hotels and resorts that host some of the most happening Holi theme parties. The traditional festivities are taken over by extravagant dance, music, and colours, along with rain-like water shots and live dhol or Bollywood songs. These Holi parties promise full fun and entertainment, coupled with snacks and drinks.

6: Holi Celebration in Dwarka

As one of the most popular festivals in India, Holi is primarily associated with Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Radha Rani. It is a festival of colours along with lots of bhang, Thandai, gujias, and snacks. It is a festival that people of all generations, coming from different spheres of life, celebrate with great enthusiasm. It’s a festival when people forget all their differences with one another and get smeared in the same colour, strengthening the bond of love and unity.

Such a grand festival is celebrated in a similar fashion across the country, with some uniqueness in particular places. Since Dwarka is the abode of Lord Dwarkadheesh, along with his elder brother Balram and sister Subhadra, this place has a special religious significance and culture.

7: Varanasi Holi Celebration

Varanasi is one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world. It is not only famous for its temples and ghats but also for its peculiar lifestyle and culture. One such unique culture is shown during the festival when looking for places to visit in India on Holi.

Holi is one of the most-awaited and celebrated festivals in India. It is a festival when one forgets all their differences with each other and gets smeared in different colours, symbolising the bond of love and unity. The colours, Thandai, Gujiya, Maliyon, and Banarasi snacks all add a special flavour to the celebrations. The famous ‘Bhole Baba ka Prasad-Bhang’, intoxicates the entire city in its mood and engulfs every hitch and corner of the city. To explore the city, a taxi service in Varanasi may be a good option.

Holika Dahan, the Night Before Holi

Holika Dahan, or Choti Holi, is the beginning of the Holi celebration, starting on the night before Holi. One can easily notice piles of wood and assorted debris lying on the streets of Varanasi days before the celebration. The piles of wood are topped with an effigy of a demon named Holika. These woodpiles are set alight throughout the evening of Holika Dahan. Similar to many other rituals in India, the burning symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Preparing for the Main Holi Colour Blast

In Varanasi, going out to play Holi without proper preparations and coverings can ruin your enthusiasm. The city turns a bit wild on this day, and one needs to take certain precautions while playing Holi outside.

A proper headcover (especially for girls) can help prevent your hair from being damaged.
Avoid carrying mobile phones and wallets in the crowd.
If you are taking your camera with you, it should be properly covered.
Applying coconut oil to your face can help remove colours easily.
Avoid wearing light fabric clothes (especially for girls).
You can also use sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Ready for the Fun on March 25th, 2024!

In 2024, make a ride at your favourite places during Holi 2024. Once done with the preventive measures, you can head out for the real fun. The colour wars start around 8–9 a.m. and gear up around 10–11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can either head towards the main gate or wander around the city with your bunch of friends. You can also carry the water balloons with you and throw them at each other, but only at their backs or legs. The streets turn colourful and slippery. The Thandai, Gujiya, and Bhang form an integral part of the celebration that no one can miss. Celebrating the festival of Holi in Varanasi can really be a memory for a lifetime.

The Holi Eve

After such a frolicsome time spent playing and enjoying with your family and friends in colour, you need to take a bath and get ready for the grand Holi eve of Varanasi. The Holi eve of Varanasi is another beautiful scene to watch. After getting dressed up in their best clothes, people head to the temples for their pujas and rituals. The famous Ganga Aarti and the enchanting of the Mantras mesmerise every living creature in the city. The tranquil ambiance of the ghats and picturesque view of the river Ganga, along with the famous snacks, give complete Banarasi Vibes, which could be cherished for a long time.