Holi, or the “Festival of Colors,” is a much-awaited Indian festival that people celebrate with incredible charm, energy, and enthusiasm. This year, 2025, Holi celebrations will happen on 14th March, Friday. People celebrate this festival with vibrant colors and dance to the tunes of Holi songs.
The festival signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the victory of good over evil. It also symbolizes togetherness and forgiving each other. People prepare delicious food items and distribute them among their family, neighbors, and loved ones.
However, many activities mark the celebrations of this festival. There are special and unique Holi celebrations at numerous places in India that inspire travel enthusiasts to visit these places to experience them. If you have wondered about the best places to celebrate Holi in India, let us help you gain profound insights.
Have you been looking to witness and experience the vibrant Holi celebrations that offer magical experiences? Discover the top five places to visit in India during the Holi festival below.
Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is among India's top places to celebrate the Holi festival. The holy city of Vrindavan is nestled on the Yamuna River banks and is recognized as a famous pilgrimage site. One can visit the famous Bankey Bihari Temple and the iconic Prem Mandir in Vrindavan. However, Vrindavan is renowned for “Phoolon Ki Holi,” where people throw flowers and petals at each other. It is a distinctive Holi celebration where flowers are used instead of colors.
Mathura is situated in Braj in Uttar Pradesh and is one of the other famous destinations in India to celebrate the festival of colors. Mathura is recognized as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Several music and dance festivals are organized in Mathura to mark the extraordinary celebrations. You can also witness the Matki-phod and Ras Leela events in this sacred place during Holi.
Barsana is a small town in Uttar Pradesh near Mathura. It is one of the other ideal places to celebrate Holi in India in a traditional and authentic way. Barsana is famous for the iconic “Lathmaar Holi,” where women beat the men playfully. This “Lathmaar Holi,” starts a week before the main Holi celebrations and is the most unique Holi celebration. In Barsana, besides the “Lathmaar Holi,” there is another celebration, known as “Ladoo Holi,” where Ladoo, a sweet, is distributed among the devotees in and around the Shriji Temple in Barsana.
If you have been looking to celebrate Holi, the royal style, then visit Udaipur, Rajasthan, which is the best place for Holi celebrations in India. The rituals start with “Holika Dahan,” performed by the royal Mewar family. It is also recognized as the Mewar Holika Dahan. It is followed by the procession to the Manek Chowk Royal Residence from the Royal Family Residence. This year, 2025, Holika Dahan will be observed on Thursday, 13th March. Besides the Holi celebrations, Udaipur is also known for its beautiful lakes and ancient historical marvels, worth visiting for the mesmerizing experiences.
The holy city of Shantiniketan in West Bengal is considered one of the top places to celebrate the festival of colors - Holi. Here, people celebrate this festival as the end of winter, called the “Basant Utsav,” or the Festival of Spring. The students of the Vishva Bharati University dress themselves in vibrant, colorful attire and participate in numerous cultural activities. When the celebrations end, the students throw colors at each other. Tourists can also witness these celebrations.
Holi is recognized as among the most joyous and celebrated festivals in India. We hope our blog has provided you with a profound insight into the top five places to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors. Other places in India where you can visit to celebrate Holi are Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Mumbai, Pushkar, Purulia, Punjab, and Hampi. Book your best stay with The Park Holidays International, the renowned, leading, and trusted Vacations Ownership Company. Let us guide you in your Holi celebrations for the best experiences.
