The much-anticipated festival of the year is just around the corner and the festival of colours is celebrated in India with enthusiasm, passion, and zeal. The ancient festival has a mythological tales from the past attached to this occasion. The festival’s socio-cultural and traditional aspects create a lot of gusto among the people of the country.
The two-day festival is celebrated on Purnima or the full moon night of the Phalguna month. The first day is known as Holika Dahan and the second day is celebrated as Holi. On the night of Holika Dahan, people lit pyres to mark the victory of good over evil and several legends suggest that on this day, demoness Holika, the sister of asura King Hiranyakashipu was burnt to ashes. The next day of Holi, people worship Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha. It also symbolizes the eternal and divine love between Radha and Krishna. ALSO READ | Holi 2023 Date, Time, Significance And All Other Details: Here’s When Maharashtra Celebrates The Festival Of Colours
Holi 2023 will be celebrated on March 8 and Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 7.
Every state in India has different and equally unique traditions. Visiting these places to celebrate Holi will bring an extraordinary vibe and experience to your life. The festival also commences at the beginning of the harvest season and the arrival of spring, which creates a vibe of unbridled enthusiasm.
Here’s a list of various states and places to visit during Holi:
1. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh:
Mathura is known to host one of the biggest Holi celebrations in India and its influence on the lives of the Krishna followers.
2. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh:
Vrindavan is the playland of Lord Krishna and it is the epicentre of the celebration of Holi in India. The famous temple of Banke Bihari hosts a weeklong celebration starting from flower splashes to colour splashes.
3. Barsana, Uttar Pradesh:
The city hosts the popular Larthmar Holi and it is celebrated in a playful manner where men need to protect themselves with shields while being beaten up by women. A similar celebration is also spotted in Nandgaon.
4. Agra, Uttar Pradesh:
The entire city turns colourful on the occasion of Holi and many tourists flock the city to experience Taj and the festival of colours.
5. Udaipur, Rajasthan:
The royal celebration of Holi is witnessed in the city of Lakes, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The culturally rich city incurs a lot of local performances. The guests are bestowed with a royal procession that starts from Shambhu Niwas Palace and ends at Manek Chowk Royal residence.
6. Jaipur, Rajasthan:
The pink city turns into a spot for bands of assorted colours on the occasion of Holi. Jaipur hosts a series of dance and music concerts that change the complete ambience of the city.
Jaipur also witnesses an eco-friendly celebration of Holi that has some unique styles of Gulaal Gotas and Water Cannon Bowls.
7. Hampi, Karnataka:
Holi is not only limited to North India, infact the festival is even celebrated in Hampi and the day begins with a Holika Dahan bonfire with a lot of singing and dancing taking place across the city.
8. Shantiniketan, Kolkata:
Shantiniketan is known to host some of the grand celebrations in Bolpur near Kolkata. The state of West Bengal is popularly known as Basant Utsav. It is the spring festival introduced by the famous Rabindranath Tagore. The people dress in yellow attire, which commences with many cultural events across the city.
9. Pushkar, Rajasthan:
The holy town experiences a lot of zeel and the main attractions are colourful baths and the live music with special drinks of thandai and lassi. The celebration starts with bonfire and accelerates with playing of colours.
10. Delhi:
The capital city of India celebrates Holi at several locations with pichkaris with many live events and performances hosted at several places.
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