Top 10 Places to Celebrate Holi this Year

10. Lathmar Holi of Barsana , U.P

Why should Boys have all the fun. Yes, the Lathmar holi of barsana supports this quotation in a right way. If you really want to celebrate Holi then this place tops the list. Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha’s village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Keeping in sync with the story, the men from Nandgaon visit the town of Barsana every year, only to be greeted by sticks (aka lathis) of the women there. The women of Barsana village near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh beat up men from neighbouring Nandgaon village with sticks and thus this Lathmar Holi got its name.

9. “Basanta Utsav” Cultural Holi of Shantiniketan, West Bengal

This Famous Cultural celebration of Holi which is also known as Basanta Utsav was started by the renowned Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. On the occasion of Basanta  Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum, the students of this university clad themselves in yellow colour clothes. The sight of all these youngsters adorned in such bright colour dresses is indeed beautiful. Here you can witness some of the spectacular Dance and Singing performance.

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8. Traditional Holi of Vrindavan & Mathura, U.P

Mathura is the birth-place of Lord Krishna, Vrindavan is the place where he grew up in his childhood and  Braj is a historical region which covers the area of Mathura, Vrindavan and some nearby areas. Holi here attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world because of it’s special customs and traditions. Thousand years of history, mythological legends, stories of goodness prevailing over the evil and neighbour kid wildly throwing water balloons at you. if this is your idea of Holi, This is your only place to celebrate holi in india. The celebrations start with the throwing of flowers (Phoolon Wali Holi) in the afternoon. In the afternoon of one day before holi, head to Mathura to see the colourful Holi procession that starts from Vishram Ghat and finishes near Holi Gate. On Holi the best place to catch the throwing of colours is Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura. Start the day early (at around 7 a.m) at Vishram Ghat to see priests making bhang.

7. Warriors Holi at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

Hola Mahalla begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar and follows the Hindu festival of colours, Holi. Guru Gobind Singh started this festival as a day for Sikhs to practise their military exercises and hold mock battles. If you want to experience Holi in the Sikh way then this celebration at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is your Ideal place to be during Holi. Even today, Sikhs celebrate this festival joyfully by watching and performing in martial arts parades, led by the Nishan Sahibs of the Gurdwaras. Which is then, followed by poetry readings and music competitions. But viewing it closely might be risky for spectators as the participants who perform Hola Mohalla fight hard with one another even though they do not fight in reality. The celebration has been recognized as a National Festival by the Govt. of India and it is being celebrated in the state of Punjab since 1701.

6. Royal Holi of Udaipur, Rajsthan

If you are planning to Visit Udaipur during Holi then It may be a once in a life time experience. If at other place Holi is all about Colour and Fun then in Udaipur with Colour and Fun Holi spells class and elegance. On the full moon night of the Hindu month of Phalgun, There will be a magnificent palace procession from the royal residence to Manek Chowk at the City Palace, including bedecked horses and royal band. Later Holika Dahan by Udaipur’s Mewar royal family marks the beginning of Holi celebration in Udaipur.

5. Holi, Purulia, West Bengal

A three day folk festival takes place in West Bengal. You can sing traditional Holi songs and play colours with the locals. This includes the remarkable chau dance, darbari jhumur, natua dance and songs of West Bengal’s wandering Baul musicians. .What makes it unique is that this Folk Holi is completely organized by the local Villagers only.

4. Musical Holi at Delhi

Holi tends to be a rowdy affair in Delhi. Feasts, music, dancing and blasting parties are held all over the city to mark the festival of colours. People hug and greet each other by applying Abeer as tilak. If you’re staying anywhere near Paharganj, be prepared to be covered in colour by shopkeepers and children alike if you step outside. If you can, try and get tickets to the Holi Moo Festival (previously the renowned Holi Cow Festival).

3. Thatheri Bazaar Holi of Allahabad chowk, Gujarat

The occasion is an annual event as shopkeepers of the locality have been following the tradition for the last few decades. The market which is the hub of utensil traders in the city is spread over in the area close to city Kotwali in the narrow bylanes next to Jama Masjid, Chowk.

2. Hampi: Holi in South India

If you’re looking for an energetic Holi, south India is generally best avoided. As Holi is primarily a north Indian festival, it’s quite subdued at most places in the south.  The focus is mainly on religious aspects and temple rites. However, Hampi in Karnataka is a notable exception! The whole town turns out to play Holi in the morning (perhaps for the benefit of the many western travelers there), amid drumming, dancing, and the evocative ruins of the grand Vijayanagar empire. Afterwards, the crowd slowly moves to the river to wash all the colour off.

1. Mumbai: Community Holi with Slum Children

Dharavi, Mumbai’s largest slum, It’s not as depressing as it seems If you are planning to celebrate Holi. Reality Tours and Travel will take you on a fascinating (and uplifting) tour of the slum, and then onwards to a Holi party that they will be throwing for the community at Dharavi. Join in and celebrate Holi with the locals in a safe and friendly environment, complete with colours and music.