HOLI!

Holi, a traditional Hindu festival, celebrates the beginning of spring and takes place over two days. It is a celebration of fertility, color, and love, as well as the triumph of good over evil. Holi is one of the major festivals of India and is the most vibrant of all. It is best known for the powder that revelers throw on each other, leaving festival-goers coated in color by the end of the day. But this is just one part of Holi, which is split into two events: Holika Dahan and Rangwali Holi.

Holika Dahan takes place the night before Rangwali Holi. Wood and dung-cakes are burned in a symbolic pyre to signify good defeating evil (in Hindu Vedi scriptures, the God Vishnu helps burn the devil Holika to death). The next morning, people gather in public spaces and take part in Rangwali Holi. This is a raucous affair where people chase each other around, throwing handfuls of colored powders (known as gulal) at one another while getting drenched in water.

Holi is a relatively secular festival. It draws on various mythologies. First and foremost is the burning of the devil Holika, but it also draws on the legend of Radha and Krishna. Krishna loved Radha but felt self-conscious about how different their skin colors were. So on the advice of his mother, he went and playfully painted her face so it was the same color as his. It is said that lovers often celebrate Holi in this tradition, by coloring their faces the same color during the celebrations. 

There are many different ways in which Holi is celebrated in every region of India and this is what makes this festival unique and highly celebrated. Not only in India but Holi is celebrated across the world. By displaying the message of the triumph of good over evil, it also enables people to connect with happiness and joy. The excitement level is very high on Holi as people enjoy music, dance, and colors. 

1.  Jaipur – The elephant festival is celebrated on the eve of Holi here
2.  Udaipur is India’s most beautiful city and the streets come alive during the festival.
3.Goa – South India doesn’t celebrate as much as the North, but because Goa is a popular tourist destination, Holi is celebrated.
4. Hampi– this was one of popular places and they have started celebrating to appease tourists.
5. Mumbaiis another great place to celebrate the Holi Pot competition to become the Holi King.
6.Delhi– The Holi Cow festival makes Delhi very suitable for Holi celebration.
7.In West Bengal – The focus is more on celebrating the eternal romance of Radha and Krishna.
8.Agra, in Uttar Pradesh also celebrates so if you find yourself exploring India’s most famous attraction, it’s The Taj Mahal you can join in.
9.West Bengal– The West Bengal Dol Jatra is celebrated on the same day as Holi. It is similar to Holi and festival goers also throw colored water to celebrate Lord Krishna and Radha.