Holi is a vibrant and joyful festival celebrated by people in India and around the world. It marks the arrival of spring and is known as the “Festival of Colors.” During Holi, people come together to play with colours, drench each other in the water, and enjoy delicious sweets and snacks. It’s a time for forgiveness, renewal of relationships, and spreading happiness. Holi is filled with music, dance, and laughter, making it one of the most fun and exciting festivals of the year. This year, Holi is on the 25th of March, Monday.
The festival starts on the evening of the full moon (Purnima) in the Hindu calendar in Phalguna month. During the festival, marketplaces become colourful with vibrant colours all around the road. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, gets covered with colours as a lot of people visit this place during Holi.
Date and Timings Of Holi
Why Do We Celebrate Holi?
There are different reasons behind celebrating Holi. It is said that Holi was originally a ceremony for married women to spread goodwill and prosperity in the family.
The festival is also linked to the famous story of Hiranyakashipu, an Asura king of the daityas from the Puranic scriptures of Hinduism. He was an ancient king who demanded to be worshipped as a god. His son, Prahlad was a follower of Lord Vishnu. The king didn’t like it, he once planned to kill his son with the help of his sister Holika. She had been gifted with a shawl by Lord Brahma which could protect her from fire.
Holika persuaded Prahlad to sit with her in a huge fire. Prahlad started worshipping Lord Vishnu. God Vishnu summoned a gust of wind to blow the shawl onto Prahlad to protect him. By doing this, Prahlad was saved from the fire and Holika died.
On the day of Holika Dahan, people gather around to light a huge bonfire, offer prayers and sing devotional songs. This year, Holika Dahan is on 24th March 2024.
Places To Celebrate Holi
Some of the top destinations to celebrate Holi in 2024 are:
Mathura
Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna which makes it quite special. During the festival, the temples in Mathura are decorated with lights and colours. Mathura is also famous for its Holi procession that starts from Vishram Ghat and ends near Holi Gate.
Vrindavan
During Holi, Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan becomes the epicentre of Holi celebrations. People gather here to celebrate Phoolon ki Holi. People of all ages celebrate the festival with immense joy and happiness.
Hampi
Hampi is also one of the best destinations to celebrate Holi. People from all over the country visit this city to sing, dance and celebrate this auspicious occasion. It is relatively less crowded than other cities.
5 Best Holi Wishes
- May this Holi bring vibrant colours of joy and prosperity into your life and motivate you for the next adventure in your life. Happy Holi.
- The colours of happiness are the most beautiful colours. Hope they stay with you forever and ever! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Holi!
- On this auspicious day of colours, sending you and your family lots of warm wishes. May you be blessed with a day full of colours, happiness and joy.
- May Lord Vishnu protect you from the devils like anger, pride, and negativity and fill your life with prosperity and happiness. Happy Holi.
- May the colours of Holi come with positive energy and fill your life with smiles. Happy Holi.
The Essence Of Holi
People celebrate Holi to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It is a festival that signifies spring and the renewal of life. Holi is synonymous with vibrant colours, joyous festivities and the spirit of unity and togetherness. Moreover, with people becoming more environment conscious, they have adopted sustainable practices, such as using natural & biodegradable colours and minimising water consumption.
Types Of Holi
Do you know that there are various types of Holi? Every region has their own interpretation and ways of playing Holi.
Shimga & Rang Panchami, Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Holi is known as Rang Panchami or Shimga. The celebrations include Holika Dahan, and the following day is Rang Panchami. People celebrate Holi with wet and dry colours and week-long festivities.
Royal Holi, Rajasthan
The royal Mewar family of Udaipur organises the Holika Dahan. Furthermore, there is a fancy procession with decorated horses and the royal band. The traditional fire is lit later, and Holika’s effigy is set on fire.
Holla Mohalla, Punjab
Holi is known as Holla Mohalla in Punjab, and the celebration commemorates the bravery of Sikh Warriors. Nihang Sikhs celebrate Holi as Holla Mohalla and showcase an extensive display of martial arts followed by music and dancing.
Kahila Holi/ Khadi Holi/Baithaki Holi, Uttrakhand
These are the common names for the festival in Uttrakhand. People don the traditional attire and sing & dance to folk tunes walking around the city. The gathering is known as Toli, and they greet each other by smearing colours on each other’s faces.
Lathmar Holi, Uttar Pradesh
During the festivities, women take up lathis and canes to hit the men or boys playfully. The men come with a dhal or shield to protect themselves. The men who are unlucky and caught by women have to dress in female attire and dance on the streets.
Phaguwa, Bihar
In the Bhojpuri dialect, Holi is known as Phaguwa. Holika Dahan is celebrated here as well, and the next day, people celebrate Holi with wet and dry colours and play traditional music and folk songs throughout the day.
Yaosang, Manipur
The six-long day celebration in Manipur is known as Yaosang. Along with celebrating with dry and wet colours, the Manipuri folk dance known as Thabal Chongba is performed during the celebrations.
Dol Jatra aka Basant Utsav, West Bengal
Holi here is known as Basant Utsav or Dol Jatra. Women dress up in yellow colour, which signifies abundance. The day after Holi is the Dol Jatra, a grand procession of Lord Krishna moves through the street with a trail of singing and dancing revellers along with smearing colours on people’s faces.
Dola, Odisha
People celebrate Holi in Odisha by celebrating Lord Jagannath or Dolagovinda. In addition to the traditional smearing of dry and wet colours, there are Lord Jagannath processions in different cities & towns.
Ukuli aka Manjal Kuli, Kerala
The Kudumbi & Konkani communities of Kerala celebrate the festivities in the traditional manner and use turmeric or Manjal Kuli.
Shigmo, Goa
During Holi local farmers perform street dances and traditional folk songs and like every celebration in Goa, tourists take part in the festivities with equal fervour.
Sweets That You Can Try On Holi
Holi is around the corner, and it will be more memorable for you when you play with colours and gorge on these mouth-watering sweets.
Guijya
These pocket-shaped sweets have crimped edges and are filled with khoya, seeds, and nuts. Guijyas are deep-fried and then dipped in chashni/sugar syrup; you won’t stop at one. Another variant of Guijya is Karanji in Maharashtra; the sweet is filled with coconut filling, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and nuts.
Shakarpara
Shakarparas are deep-fried cookies that often share the spotlight with their counterparts, Namakpara and are made from sugar, all-purpose flour, ghee, and salt.
Kheer
Kheer is a dessert consumed in several festivities, like Holi, Diwali, Weddings and more. It is a rice-based pudding containing milk, dry fruits, cardamon, and saffron. Everyone makes their own Kheer recipes and uses jaggery, sabudana, makhana or adding rosewater or kewra.
Phirni
Phirni is yet another rice-based sweet that you can consume during Holi festivities. It is similar to kheer but has a rich and creamier texture owing to its unique preparation method. Phirni has several variants, such as Rose, Saffron, and Phrini Pannacotta.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why do we celebrate Holi?
Holi is celebrated every year in India to mark the victory of good over evil.
2. When is Holi 2024?
This year, people will be celebrating Holi on the 25th of March 2024. Holika Dahan is on the 24th of March 2024.
3. Which are the best places to celebrate Holi?
- Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
- Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
- Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Hampi, Karnataka
