Holi is one of the most fun and exciting festivals of India. Amongst the many festivals, it is the most awaited festival! Holi is celebrated over 2 days, the dahan and the dhuleti. The holi dahan is practised around a pyre where people leave their offerings in the form of coconut, dhani, puran poli, raw mango, dates, chana daal and a special garland called batashe ka haar around it and also pour water in order to cool the fire. This like many other Hindu festivals also signifies the victory of good over evil. Hence, the big celebration with colour, flowers and a whole lot of good food. The Dhuleti day is widely celebrated across the country with people bursting with unmatched energy and enthusiasm.
Holi is looked upon as the day that brings in a lot of positivity and is also viewed as a day to blossom budding friendship, mend old ways, bury the hatchet and just allow good vibes to flow for the rest of the year. This festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country, even though the ultimate vibe surrounding the festival is kept intact, every region has its own unique way to kick start the festivities. Where are you heading to ring in Holi 2022, the first one in the last couple of years where things are seemingly picking pace and look like they are headed towards normalcy? If you haven’t fixed a place yet, here are a few suggestions from us!
1) Banke Bihari Temple
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Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is an attraction like no other and is a must visit. Vrindavan celebrates Holi with a lot of zest and fervour and marks it as the beginning of the spring season. They also celebrate phoolon ki holi where devotees who come to pray at the temple are showered with fresh flowers, this mainly happens during Vasant Panchami. The day of the festival sees large processions of people with colour smeared faces, dancing, singing and celebrating to the fullest.
2) Jaipur
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Jaipur is hands down one of the best places to celebrate the festival of holi. Folklores are sung, dances are performed and as the Pink City gets showered with colours, it is a sight to witness a royal-like celebration all around the city. Hotels and palace stays curate special packages during the festive season to allow the traveller to experience the authentic festive cheer.
3) Shantiniketan
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Shantiniketan is a university in West Bengal which is the alma mater of the great laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore. He started the tradition of playing with colours to celebrate Basant Utsav—the beginning of spring. People get together and celebrate this festival with unmatched zest and fervour.
4) Barsana
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Barsana in Mathura celebrates Holi in quite a unique way. They celebrate the festival of colour with laathis and hence, it is called the Lathmaar Holi. It is the weirdest way to play Holi but it is a different kind of experience seeing women of all ages laughing their hearts out as they hit men with sticks.
5) Udaipur
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Udaipur celebrates Holi the royal way. The royal family rings in the festival with drums, folks, traditional outfits, singing around the bonfire. The bonfire signifies the victory of good over evil. They celebrate with lavish dinner parties, cocktails, fireworks giving it a proper royal feel.
