Holi is one of the major festivals associated with India, mainly known as the festival of colors. It symbolizes the love of the bright and the glad tidings of the coming of spring with colors, songs, and dancing.
For the NRIs and foreign tourists, celebrating Holi in India is a close shot at the real thing – tradition, warmth, and memories to cherish. Filled with colors on the streets and flowers in temples, it is truly impossible to miss the essence of Holi.
This article will help you to know about the best places, delicacies, and things to do to enjoy Holi in India with great enthusiasm and fun.
Holi 2025 Date & Timing
Holi is celebrated every year in the month of Phalguna of the Hindu calendar which falls in March.
Holy will fall on Friday, 14th March 2025, All Day. Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi) will be on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Holika Dahan Shubh Muhurat:
Holika Dahan Muhurat is from 13 March Night 11:26 PM to 12:30 AM (local time may vary). Holika Dahan is one of the waiting nights. Most people, however, celebrate only the night before the day of Holi, known as Chhoti Holi. This particular ritual signifies the act of eliminating all forms of negativity and evil in the community.
These cultural details indicate the best time of the day and the dates at which certain rituals and celebrations will be most alive.
Why Should NRIs & Foreigners Come to India to Celebrate Holi?
Holi is a well-known Indian festival where Indians enjoy colors, music, and fun. All NRIs and foreigners should come and experience Indian cultural heritage, the rituals of Holi, such as Lathmar Holi of Barsana, and the joyous spirit found in India during festivals.
1. Authentic Holi Experience
Holi is celebrated in India’s cities, villages, and temples as a cultural aspect of the population practices. The colors, music, and loud laughter make the experience real.
2. Cultural Immersion & Festive Spirit
Holi is an occasion where differences like cast, creed, and status are set aside. The foreign visitors get a glimpse & taste of the ethos of Indian culture and hospitality.
3. Unique Regional Celebrations
Each part of India has its approach to celebrating Holi; some are Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Shigmo in Goa. Every place is unique in terms of celebrations; therefore, it represents a diverse experience.
What is Holi & Why is it Celebrated?
Holi is one of the most colorful festivals in India, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigor to remind people of the story of Prahlad and Holika. It also symbolizes the harvesting and reunion of people with colors, music, and sweets that represent joy and togetherness.
Mythological Significance
Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil through the killing of demon king Hiranyakashipu by Lord Vishnu and victory over Holika, as well as expresses gratitude for Prahlad’s faithfulness. The tradition followed by the celebration of Holika Dahan is to burn the effigy, which represents the victory over evils. Further, the depiction of Lord Krishna and Radha’s lovers’ colors signifies love, guaranteeing the festival’s link to the divine.
Social & Cultural Importance
Holi expresses the importance of unity by negating social differences. To celebrate this festival, people apply colors to each other, sing, dance, distribute sweets, and provide warmth and embrace across casts, religions, and different identities.
Mathura & Vrindavan – The Most Popular Holi Destination for NRIs & Foreigners
Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna and the place where he spent his childhood, are famous for a Grand Holi. The festive activity here draws thousands of Non-Resident Indians and foreigners each year.
1. Widow’s Holi (Vrindavan)
It covers traditions like the ‘Widow’s Holi,’ where widows banned from rituals can now rejoice at the Gopinath temple.
2. Lathmar Holi (Barsana & Nandgaon)
This special occasion involves women emulating the gods by symbolically whupping the men with sticks, following the intense passion of lovers Radha and Krishna. Barsana is the village of Radha, and Nandgaon is the birthplace of Krishna.
3. Phoolon Ki Holi (Vrindavan)
Known as the Banke Bihari Vasant Utsav, this Holi differs from the others by substituting color with flower petals, making the event quite enchanting and much more serene than one would imagine.
Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India for NRIs & Foreigners
Holi in India can be quite unique and is celebrated enthusiastically in all the country’s states. Here are the few best places for NRIs and foreign to celebrate Holi:
Mathura & Vrindavan (Spiritual & Traditional Holi):
Visit the land of Lord Krishna, where he loved to play with colors on Holi. Learn about different types of Holi, such as Phoolon Ki Holi or the Widow’s Holi.
Barsana & Nandgaon (Lathmar Holi):
Be a part of the entertaining but still meaningful tradition of women chasing the men armed with sticks and men trying to evade them.
Jaipur & Udaipur (Royal Holi Celebrations):
Various families of Rajasthan don’t just celebrate Holi but are more inclined towards the cultural Holi festivity with dance, herbs, etc.
Delhi (Holi Festivals & Music Events):
There are many parties in every corner of the city with DJs’ organic colors, and people enjoy it a lot. That’s why it is a favorite place for travelers.
Goa (Beach Holi Celebrations):
Goa adds color to this festival in its own style, which is more inclined towards the beach. Although it is significantly related to Indian festivals because of its colors and parades, a particular Goan flavor is added to the celebration of Holi.
Shantiniketan, West Bengal (Cultural Basanta Utsav Holi):
Initiated by Rabindranath Tagore, Basanta Utsav, held in Shantiniketan, it also includes plays and colors.
Anandpur Sahib, Punjab (Sikh Holi – Hola Mohalla):
A parade, hatha yoga, drama, and the Sikh-appointed martial art forms mark Hola Mohalla.
How Holi is Celebrated in Different States of India?
It is considered to be an Indian festival, but the way people celebrate Holi differs from one state to another. Here is a break down on how some regions celebrate Holi:
1. Uttar Pradesh – Traditional Holi in Mathura & Vrindavan
Mathura and Vrindavan celebrate spiritual colors in Holi through prayers, colors, and playful fun activities within temples.
2. Rajasthan – Royal Holi in Jaipur & Udaipur
Rajasthan’s Royal Holi features a royal procession in palaces, folk music, and traditional dances.
3. Punjab – Hola Mohalla, A Warrior Holi
Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib showcases martial arts, sword fighting, and spirited color play.
4. West Bengal – Basanta Utsav by Rabindranath Tagore
Instead, Shantiniketan welcomes the festival with music, dance, and such cultural programs that are majorly famous for the festival.
5. Maharashtra – Rang Panchami in Mumbai & Pune
Rang Panchami is the major festival of fun and colors specifically celebrated in Maharashtrian style through different forms of union hangouts.
6. Gujarat – Dhuleti Holi Celebrations
Dhuleti reflects the ideal scenes demonstrated in dancing, singing, and applying colors across various cities such as Ahmedabad.
7. Goa – Shigmo Festival & Beach Holi
Shigmo in Goa includes merrymaking parades, folk dances, and vibrant Holi parties by the beach.
Best Foods for the Holi Festival
It is quite impossible to complete the celebration of the festival of Holi without having tasty and colorful food items. Here are must-try Holi foods:
- Gujiya: Deep fried savory dumplings with stuffing of khoya and Dry fruits.
- Thandai & Bhang Thandai: A delicious cold milk-based drink that is prepared using dry fruit spices and can also be prepared with bhang.
- Dahi Bhalla & Chaat: Satisfied yogurt balls with spices served with chutneys.
- Malpua: Delicious, crispy pancakes drowned in sugar syrup.
- Puran Poli: A flat round bread from Maharashtra with stuffing of purified jaggery and pulses.
These flavors add a new dimension to the Holi celebration!
Accommodations for NRIs & Foreigners: Contact Us to Manage All
Securing suitable accommodation during Holi is challenging, especially near various lively activity points. NRI Travelogue provides the best services, guaranteeing a comfortable stay with our services.
Top Hotels and Accommodations in Holi Festive Cities:
We can assist you if you are looking for a Royal Palace in Udaipur or an economic budget hotel in Mathura.
Travel Tips for a Comfortable Stay:
We provide essential travel advice to help you enjoy Holi stress-free.
Safety Tips for a Hassle-Free Holi Experience:
This way, our safety tips enable NRIs and foreigners to find a way to celebrate Holi freely.
Final Words
The Holi festival in India is not only a festival but also a festival full of colors that easily make it memorable. In India, NRIs and foreigners can feel themselves in the spirit of traditions, jovial gatherings, and colorful street festivity. From Lathmar Holi of Barsana to Basanta Utsav of Shantiniketan, Shigmo of Goa is also no less.
This guide has provided information on the best places and foods and some tips for celebrating Holi in 2025. Therefore, do not think anymore; grab your bag, book your stay with NRI Travelogue, and welcome Holi in the true sense of India.
Holi in 2025 will be celebrated on March 14, 2025, with Holika Dahan on March 13, 2025.
Vrindavan is one of the most preferred locations in India to celebrate Holi, while Mathura is quite popular.
Yes, Holi is absolutely safe because people use very light colors, and Abir is used to celebrate.
Try the white cotton dress or any clothing that gives you a feel of the chic event.
Lathmar Holi in Barsana, Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan, and the Shigmo Festival in Goa are some of the best places for foreigners to visit and celebrate the Holi festival.
To prepare for the Holi, people can wear loose and comfortable clothing, the best white, and apply coconut oil to their skin and hair to avoid getting colored. Also, visitors should wear eye protection, usually sunglasses, and avoid wearing clothes or accessories of any skin-harming colours.
Oil your hair before Holi and wash it gently with mild soap and warm water the next day.
Yes, temples like Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan) welcome visitors.
You can find accommodations near Holi hotspots in India by booking hotels, guesthouses, or homestays in popular cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur, and Varanasi. For hassle-free bookings, you can contact the NRI Travelogue team to arrange your stay in India
Gujiya, Thandai, Malpua, and Dahi Bhalla, are quite famous during the Hoi celebration.
