Holi, India: Everything You Need To Know in 2025

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Holi is one of the most joyful and chaotic festivals you’ll ever experience.

Known as the Festival of Colours 🟢🔴🟡🔵 it’s a celebration of spring, love, and the triumph of good over evil. While primarily observed in India and Nepal, Holi’s infectious energy has spread worldwide. It’s a day when strangers become friends, the air is thick with brightly coloured powder, and music and laughter fill the streets.

Whether you’re dancing in a packed city square or getting drenched with coloured water in a small village, Holi is an unforgettable experience that welcomes everyone.

What is Holi?

The festival has deep roots in Hindu mythology. According to one of the more famous legends, the tyrannical king Hiranyakashipu demanded that everyone worship him, but his son Prahlad remained devoted to Lord Vishnu. Enraged, the king’s sister, Holika, who had a magical fireproof cloak, lured Prahlad into a bonfire. However, her plan backfired—she burned, while Prahlad survived unharmed.

This is why Holi begins with Holika Dahan, a ritual bonfire symbolising the victory of good over evil. The next day, the celebrations erupt into a riot of colour, music, and fun, inspired by the playful legend of Krishna and Radha, where Krishna, worried about his dark complexion, mischievously smeared colour on Radha’s face.

Holi is celebrated differently across India, with each region adding its own traditions. In Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, women chase men with sticks in a playful event called Lathmar Holi, while in Rajasthan, royal palaces host elegant celebrations with flower petal showers. In West Bengal, Holi blends with Basanta Utsav, a festival of poetry and dance.

But no matter where you celebrate, Holi is about joy, togetherness, and living in the moment. It’s messy, exhilarating, and completely unmissable—just be ready to get absolutely covered in colour and embrace the chaos.

When is Holi?

Holi is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which usually falls in March. In 2025, the festival takes place on March 13th-14th, though some regions start their celebrations earlier and continue the festivities for several days.

The festival is typically spread over two days, beginning with Holika Dahan, also known as Bonfire Night, which takes place the evening before Holi. Families and communities gather to light large fires, symbolising the burning away of evil, inspired by the legend of Holika and Prahlad. People sing, dance, and perform rituals around the fire, marking the start of the celebrations.

The following day is Rangwali Holi, the main event, where people of all ages take to the streets, throwing brightly coloured powders (gulal) and drenching each other with coloured water. The atmosphere is electric, with drumming, dancing, and an overwhelming sense of joy and unity.

Where to celebrate Holi?

Holi is celebrated across India, but some destinations take the festival to a whole new level.

If you want to experience Holi at its most vibrant, Mathura and Vrindavan are the places to be. As the birthplace of Krishna, these cities host multi-week celebrations, with special events at temples, massive colour fights, and spiritual rituals.

Expect an electric atmosphere, especially at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, where colours are thrown in waves over the crowd.

For a more unique twist, Barsana is famous for Lathmar Holi, a tradition where women playfully chase and “beat” men with sticks, recreating a legendary exchange between Radha and Krishna.

In contrast, Delhi offers a more modern, party-like experience, with huge street gatherings, music festivals, and club events that mix traditional Holi with DJ sets and international crowds.

Meanwhile, Jaipur hosts a more refined celebration, featuring royal Holi events with elephants, folk performances, and cultural parades.

If you’re after a more free-spirited vibe, Pushkar and Varanasi are backpacker favourites. Pushkar’s Holi is an all-out colour rave, where locals and travellers flood the streets for a high-energy celebration.

In Varanasi, Holi takes on a spiritual dimension, with rituals along the Ganges River and a mix of chaos and devotion. Wherever you choose, Holi is an experience like no other—just be ready for colour, crowds, and a lot of dancing.

What to expect during Holi

Holi is a full sensory experience—loud, chaotic, and exhilarating. From the moment you step outside, the streets come alive with music, dance, and bursts of colour flying in every direction.

People of all ages, from children to the elderly, take part in the fun, playfully smearing gulal (coloured powder) on each other while shouting "Bura na mano, Holi hai!" (Don’t mind, it’s Holi!). The day before, Holika Dahan bonfires light up the night as people gather for prayers and storytelling, marking the triumph of good over evil.

Expect to be completely covered in colour within minutes of stepping outside—locals and tourists alike dive right in, making it one of the most inclusive celebrations in the world.

The music

Music is a huge part of Holi, setting the rhythm for the day’s madness. Traditional folk songs and Bollywood Holi anthems like Rang Barse and Balam Pichkari blast from speakers, while the sound of dhol (Indian drums) keeps the energy high.

Many cities now host Holi music festivals, blending traditional celebrations with DJs, electronic beats, and massive crowds dancing under clouds of colour. Whether you’re at a temple gathering or a festival-style party, Holi’s soundtrack is guaranteed to keep you moving.

The food

With all the dancing and colour fights, you’ll need to refuel, and Holi is packed with delicious street food and festive drinks. Gujiya, deep-fried pastries stuffed with sweet khoya and nuts, are a staple treat. Dahi Vada, soft lentil dumplings soaked in yoghurt and spices, offer a refreshing contrast to the heat.

But the most famous Holi drink is thandai, a cooling milk-based drink flavoured with saffron, almonds, and sometimes bhang (cannabis).

In certain regions, bhang is legally sold at government-licensed shops, making it an iconic (and sometimes very strong) part of the Holi experience. Whether you stick to sweets or try a bhang-laced beverage, Holi is a festival that truly immerses you in India’s vibrant culture, one colour, beat, and bite at a time.

Tips for travelling to Holi

Holi is an incredible experience, but a little preparation goes a long way in making sure you enjoy it to the fullest.

• Wear white clothes—they’ll get completely stained, but that’s part of the fun. Opt for lightweight, cheap clothing that you don’t mind throwing away afterwards. Avoid wearing anything too tight, as it will be uncomfortable once wet, and choose closed-toe shoes instead of sandals to protect your feet from the mixture of colours and water on the ground.

• The colours used during Holi are mostly harmless, but they can be tricky to wash off, especially from hair and skin. A great hack is to apply coconut oil or moisturiser before heading out—this creates a protective layer that helps colours wash off easily.

• Sunglasses are a must, both for eye protection and to keep powder from getting in your eyes.

• While Holi is generally a friendly and welcoming festival, stay aware of your surroundings. Stick to well-known public celebrations and avoid overly crowded areas where things might get too rowdy.

• If you’re trying bhang-infused drinks, go easy—effects can be stronger than expected, especially for first-timers. And most importantly, stay hydrated—dancing, sunshine, and colour fights can be exhausting, so keep water on hand.  

• Capturing the chaos of Holi is a must, but your camera or phone needs protection. A waterproof pouch or ziplock bag can shield your device from colour and water. If you're serious about photography, a GoPro or an old phone might be your best bet.

• And finally, stay connected—Holi celebrations can get crowded, and it’s easy to lose track of friends.

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Downloading an eSIM before you arrive ensures you have affordable mobile data to check maps, arrange meet-ups, and post those incredible Holi shots without relying on patchy public WiFi. With the right prep, you’ll be all set for an unforgettable experience!

Capture the fun, embrace the chaos, and enjoy the most colourful festival of your life! 🟢🔴🟡🔵