10 Best Places to Celebrate Holi In India In 2023

If we could describe this experience in one word, we would say - unreal. Vrindavan easily witnesses the best Holi in India and it dates back to the time Lord Krishna smeared Goddess Radha’s face with colour. People comes from different countries and cities to witness the best celebration of Holi in India - which comprises of two kinds - a traditional holi played with colours and water and phoolon ki holi wherein priests of Banke Bihari temple throw flower petals on devotees to celebrate.

This Holi celebration is also special as the city also witnesses widows’ Holi, a movement started by an NGO a few years back to break the convention that prevened widows from playing holi or wearing colourful clothes. It truly is an experience that you would hold on to forever.

The second best place to celebrate Holi in India would definitely be Mathura. Mathura, located in Braj, UP, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and hence sees grandest celebration of this festival. The festivities start early in the morning with bhajans and chants and you can see people playing with gulaal at the Dwarkadeesh temple. Processions take over the city and people can be seeing walking from Vishram Ghat to Holi gate, all while playing with colours and dancing at various pandals. You can also watch Ras-Leelas in Mathura during Holi, giving you a cultural experience that’s unmatched.

This is a unique Holi celebration that will probably take you by surprise but we’re sure you must have seen this if you have ever googled ‘pictures of Holi celebration in India’ and wondered what it was. In Barsana, UP, there’s a tradition wherein the women (playfully) beat up men with sticks to celebrate the festival. The legend has it that Lord Krishna, who was from Nandagaon, wanted to smear colour on Goddess Radha and her friends and followed them to Barsana but as soon as they entered, Radha and her friends beat them with sticks and drove them out. The tradition still continues where men from Nandagaon are considered son-in-laws of Barsana and beaten with sticks. It is a laughter riot and we recommend you go see it for yourself to truly understand what we mean when we say it is the most famous Holi celebration in India.

A university town in West Bengal that is known for being set up by Rabindranath Tagore has an enjoyable Holi celebration of its own. Sir Tagore introduced the Basant Utsav to revive ancient tradition and bring the community together. Every year, the students of the university dress up in colourful clothes, organize a cultural fest and celebrate Holi with a zest unlike any other. This just goes to show how Holi is celebrated in India may differ from region to region but the spirit remains the same. 

Varanasi, one of the oldest cities of India, is a holy city situated off the Ganga river. It is the best place to celebrate Holi in India as people from all over the world come to witness this colourful day and play with colours on the Ghat and gorge on some delicious sweets. What’s special about the Holi here is that people celebrate it with cremation pyre ash that is said to honour the dead and helps in getting ‘moksha’ , which means salvation. To witness this is one of the most surreal experiences and that’s why Varanasi should be on your list of places to celebrate Holi in India.

Pushkar is a true example of how Holi is celebrated in India. From celebrating it in temples to playing with colour by the Ghat, to eating yummy Holi delicacies to bhaang and thandai competitions, Pushkar has it all. The city during this festival is a spectacle with colours everywhere your eyes reach and people enjoying themselves. This place is now also a hub for music festival and trance parties where people from all over the world come to be a part of the experience, making it the best place to celebrate Holi in India. 

Celebrating Holi in Udaipur is like celebrating Holi like a royal. It is one of the biggest Holi celebrations in India and all the credits for this go to the royal family. On the day of chhoti Holi, the Maharaja of Mewar addresses the residents and guests and welcomes them to the city of palaces. He dresses up in a traditional attire and lights up the bonfire which signifies the triumph of good over evil. This ritual is then followed by some cultural performances and folk dances. Then you end the night with a spectacular range of dishes and cocktails. Every region has a different type of Holi celebration in India which adds to the charm of the festival.

Another place which observes a famous Holi in India is Anandpur Sahib which hosts the Holi Maholla, an annual fair started by Guru Gobind Singh back in 1701. It is a special experience for everyone who visits Hola Mohalla as you can find unforgettable sights like Nihang warriors displaying their martial arts skills. Another activity that might catch your eye is horse riding where rides perform stunts that will have you stunned.

To celebrate the festival of colous, a colourful procession takes over the city and devotees indulge in kirtans followed by langar that offers free meals to everyone. It is definitely the place to be to celebrate the Holi season in India.

Jaipur also witnesses one of the best Holi celebrations in India. As if the hospitality and enthusiasm of Rajasthani people wasn’t enough, the festival is made even more special by Rajasthan Tourism. It organises a community event for visitors at the Khasa Kothi Hotel to give them a taste of truel Jaipur Holi. The event has been carefully curated with folk performances and cultural activities along with a festive lunch. And the best part? It is open to all! 

The last on the list but still one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India is Purulia in West Bengal. The celebrations are similar to that of Shantiniketan but the unique thing is that Holi or as they call it the Dol festival, is celebrated 3 days before the actual Holi date. It is celebrated near an 8th century temple - Bandhar Deul and you can enjoy folk performances like Darbari Jhumur, Chau and Natua. The music is also something that will grab your attention - Baul music by singers who travel far and wide to sing traditional folk songs of Bengal.

But what makes Purulia the most famous Holi celebration in India is that nature itself celebrates the festival of colours with Ayodhya Pahar turning red due to Palash flowers blooming on it, making it a visual you will never forget.