Top Trips to Take in India for a Heavenly Holi

The festival of colours, Holi, is just around the corner and it’s time to gear up for the party of the year and some grand celebrations. Whether it is throwing colours at each other or just going on a long drive, Holi brings us a significant reason to celebrate love and brotherhood. Hence, it’s time to make plans and enjoy the best of the festival at your favourite destination. Though Holi is predominantly a north Indian festival, it is celebrated with full fervour not only across the country but all over the world.

In India, the following are the best places where you can travel during the Holi weekend and celebrate the festival with locals. Take these trips with your friends or family or your partner and make beautiful memories to remember for a lifetime.

• Mathura 

Mathura is one of the most significant places in Hindu traditions as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and hence, is also a prominent pilgrimage site. But the kind of Holi celebrations you are going to witness here is unmatchable. Visit here and partake in various processions carried out on the lively and vibrant streets of the city. Watch children dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. Whether it is the popular Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple or Vishram Ghat, you would see people dancing, singing, and rejoicing in colours everywhere. 

• Barsana 

Another religious place where you would find incredible Holi celebrations is Barsana. It is a historical town for being the birthplace of Goddess Radha and is known for celebrating Lathmar Holi (Holi of sticks) today. Here, women of Barsana playfully hurl sticks at men who enter the city in order to enact the times when Radha along with her friends greeted Lord Krishna with sticks when he used to enter the city on the occasion of Holi. Visit this beautiful town and be a part of this unusual celebration. 

• Agra 

Often called the city of love or the city of the Taj, Agra is one of the most prominent and frequented places not only in India but across the world. Here, you can find tourists from different countries exploring the wonders of the Taj Mahal. During the season of Holi, people gather together, drink local Bhang, and apply colourful gulal to celebrate brotherhood and love. 

• Udaipur 

Plan a trip to the majestic city of Udaipur and witness some of the great spectacles of India. Celebrating Holi in Udaipur is one of the best things to do in Rajasthan as this is the time when every corner of the town exudes happiness and positivity. Participate in the bonfire ritual of Mewar Holika Dahan that takes place at the city palace and capture some beautiful photos of the celebrations. You can also enjoy some folk dances and singing shows during the festival season here. 

• Hampi 

Though Holi is a North Indian festival, it is also celebrated with full zeal and zest in the southern parts of the country. So, you can definitely plan a trip to South India and visit the ancient town of Hampi which is known for its stunning Vijayanagar ruins to witness what it is like to enjoy the festival on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Holi in Hampi is celebrated for over two days when people come out and meet and greet each other. They partake in riverside celebrations, visit temples, dance, drum, and sing. You can also spend time stargazing at night here.