Top 10 Places in India to Celebrate the Festival of Holi 2016

By Rahul SHarma - February 24, 2016

The festival of colors is going to be held in March and the whole country is waiting to paint themselves in red, yellow, green and purple. As the Holi excitement increases, we let you know about some destinations where you can celebrate the festival of Holi 2016 in unique ways.

1. Holi - Mumbai, Maharashtra

The city of Bollywood or movies! The city celebrates all festival with enthusiasm and prepares weeks before to celebrate the holy. Day before Holi, Shimga is celebrated to burn all evils. People play with colors and welcome the spring season. People in a very festive mood exchanges sweets and greets each other.

2. Holi - Braj Barsana, Uttar Pradesh

If want to see traditional Holi then visit Braj Barsana in Uttar Pradesh where they celebrate the ‘lathmaar Holi’. In this Holi, the women of Barsana beat up’ the men from the adjacent Nandgaon. Braj Barsana is considered as a birthplace of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha, and has a temple dedicated to her. The whole ‘colorful battle’ consist of the Holi celebrations, which are further turn into singing songs called “Hori” in praise of Radha-Krishna.

3. Holi - Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Legend says that Vrindavan is the place where Lord Krishna is supposed to have grown up, celebrates Holi in the most original and romantic way. The popular Banke Bihari Temple is the centre of Holi celebrations here. On this day, the temple is decorated with flowers and lights. Devotees first offer Gulal to the Lord and then on each other.

4. Holi - Shantiniketan, West Bengal

Shantiniketan celebrates the festival with peace and serenity. People sing songs and perform dances wearing yellow-colored clothes. A cultural festival is organized here and wishes each other by applying dry color on face. The festival is very important day for Shantiniketan and attracts thousands of travelers from across India and foreign countries to see an exclusive aspect of Holi.

5. Holi - Purulia, West Bengal

Another cultural place to enjoy Holi is Purulia in West Bengal. The three-day celebration is packed with amazing folk dance performances for example - Chhau dance, Jhumur music and the outstanding Baul musicians. Holi is celebrated by smearing dry color on each other. Folk artists add distinct charm to this festival accompanied by folk singers.

6. Holi - Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

Anandpur Sahib is a pilgrimage destination for the Sikhs. The people of here also celebrate Holi but in unique way without water and color. This meticulous festival celebrates the strength male aggression and physical agility that keep the people safe.

7. Holi - Jaipur, Rajasthan

Holi is celebrated with a regal way befitting the royal history of Rajasthan. Holi is renowned for its only one of its kind in which people sitting on the elephants back spray dry color on the bystanders. Elephant dances and elephant polo creates an interesting twist to this celebration.

8. Holi - Gujarat

Gujarat also celebrates Holi in the same sociable way. Gifting of corn, sugar figurines, raw mango and condensed milk is made to the Holika, after that people apply red color to each other’s forehead. Little girls make statues of Gauri from the ruins of the Holika. Another day of Dhuleti is spent with colors and water.

9. Holi - Uttarakhand

Music plays a relevant role of this Holi in Uttarakhand which is known as Kumaoni Holi. Usually speaking, Kumaoni Holi is celebrated for two months! The festival end into a Cheer Bandhan (bonfire), 15 days previous to Dhulendi. Playful games are played to steal each other’s attractions. At the end a ritualistic Shubh Kamna prayer is done.

10. Holi - Tamilnadu

Holi is an ironic festival here and considered as a matter of love and contains rituals that seek the conquest of religious bliss over romantic needs. A symbolic bonfire is performed to show conquering romantic needs as well as negativities in general. After that day, people play of colors.