India is a home to a huge number of people who belong to a different cultural background, and the Indian calendar is full of various festivals and is famous for its elaborate and colourful fairs. The colour filled festival of Holi and the vibrant and enlightening festival of Diwali are few of the most important festivals in Indian culture, and a visit to the country during these is recommended. The massive fairs like the Kumbha Mela and the Pushkar Camel fair attract millions of visitors from all across the globe.
Experience Rainbow of Colors by Playing Holi in Incredible India
(Celebrating Holi Festival with a Difference)
“Rang Barse Bheege Chunar Waali Rang Barse”
We have all probably grown up grooving to this chartbuster bollywood song, which is nothing less than a HOLI PARTY ANTHEM, scrubbing gulal (bright color powders) on people to welcome the festival of colors. Color water filled balloons and pichkarisfly thick and fast that are tossed at the individuals. It is the only festival where you can throw bucketful of water or colors on the people and get away from the punishment by saying, “bura na mano holi hai”.
Holi is a colorful festival of spreading unconditional love, fun and most importantly signifies victory of good over evil. It is celebrated with great fervor and joy all over India (mainly North India) around the month of March.The excitement of eating scrumptious gujiyas, savoring thandai and playing with wet and dry colors cannot be just expressed in words. You have to just FEEL THE FESTIVAL to believe it. So, what are you waiting for? Just fill up your balloons with water colors and do not let the holi fever die by celebrating the festival in various destinations of India in unique ways.
Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
Have you ever thought of playing holi with the lathis (sticks)? May be not!Say GOODBYE to winter by playing holi in the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Here, the festival also popularly known as Laathmaar Holi is celebrated nearly for a week in a very unique manner. The men from the neighboring Nandgaon come to Barsana to tease women, but they are greeted with the bamboo lathis and chased away (just the way Lord Krishna used to tease the gopis).However, in all the maddening chasing and running, just do not forget to sip a glass of bhaang.
Vrindavan, Mathura Uttar Pradesh
If you have not played holi in Vrindavan, then BELIEVE ME, you will truly miss the joy and happiness, which you will certainly regret later. The popular Krishna Raas Leela, folk tales are dramatized and the people are showered with not the colors but with bucketful of flowers. The decoration of the famous Banke-Bihari Temple is nothing less than a visual treat to the eyes. Dancing on the beats of dholaks and enjoying mouth watering local delicacies like papri, kachori, mathri, etc is an unforgettable experience.
Shantiniketan, West Bengal
The holi festival here is also known by the name Basanta Utsav, which was started by the famous Bengali poet and Nobel award winner Rabindranath Tagore in Vishwabharti University, Shantiniketan. The boys and girls of the university wear yellow colored clothing with garlands and enact different beautiful cultural programs and folk dances, showcasing wonderful Bengali cultural extravaganza.After the performance, the tourists can enjoy playing colors with the students and paint the town red, blue, green.
Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
The unique style, in which the Holi (also called Hola Mohalla) is celebrated in Anandpur Sahib, is a MUST WATCH. It was first started by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in the 18th century. The festival lasting for nearly a week displays, bravery, martial arts skills, bareback horse riding, mock battles, weapon display, etc of the Sikhs. The various feats of bravery displayed by the people participating in the festival will truly make your jaw drop.
Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan
Holi is one the major festivals that is celebrated with great zeal and fervor in Jaipur and Udaipur. The festival is celebrated for two days. On the first day, the royal family of Udaipur organizes Holika Dahan; (a huge bonfire) is burnt. The following morning, people rub colors on each other on the streets of Jaipur and Udaipur. Do not miss the fantastic Elephant festival, where the beautifully decorated elephants as well as the horses and camels are paraded throughout the street of the cities.
Are you THRILLED AND EXCITED to celebrate holi this year in India? This year, immerse yourself in the festival by playing holi in different fascinating cities of Incredible India and spread the colors of joy.