Streets lined with scented colours and vibrant water guns, complemented by the aroma of Holi specialities like gujiya and papad, warm weather indicating the onset of summer, and happy faces everywhere — yes, it is that time of the year! If you are wondering how and where to celebrate India’s beloved festival of colours in 2024, look no further than our ultimate Holi guide!
While the first evening of Holi, known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, involves lighting a bonfire to cleanse negative energies, the second, known as Rangwali Holi or Dhulendi, includes playing with coloured powder and water. According to the Hindu calendar, Holi begins on Purnima (Full Moon Day).
Falling on March 25 in 2024, Holi also attracts non-Hindus to celebrate the occasion. Intriguingly, the festival of colours is celebrated by Indians all over the globe, including Nepal and Malaysia. For instance, Shree Lakshmi Narayan temple in Kuala Lumpur’s Sentul area hosts elaborate Holi festivities.
If you wish to delve deeper into the stories and rituals surrounding Holi, keep scrolling!
Holi tales: Mythology and significance
Dedicated to love and the victory of good over evil, Holi is surrounded by numerous folk tales and legends, especially those of Radha-Krishna and Prahlad-Hiranyakashipu.
Radha-Krishna: Legend has it that Lord Krishna, known for his characteristic blue skin colour, was envious of Radha’s fair complexion and expressed his displeasure to his mother Yashoda. In response, she playfully asked him to colour Radha’s face to make her look like himself. The naughty Krishna went ahead and applied colours on Radha and other gopis, making this playful prank an integral part of Holi traditions.
Prahlad-Hiranyakashipu: According to Hindu mythology, a prince named Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, much to the disapproval of his father, the powerful and wicked king Hiranyakashipu. As the king’s sister Holika was blessed with the boon of remaining unharmed even in fire, he asked her to sit amidst flames with Prahlad in her lap to ensure his demise. However, Prahlad’s staunch devotion to Lord Vishnu is said to have saved him from this sinister act, while Holika perished as punishment for misusing her powers, giving rise to the Holika Dahan ritual.
Hiranyakashipu, shocked by this turn of events, challenged his son to prove God’s existence. When Prahlad affirmed the omnipresence of Lord Vishnu, the infuriated father destroyed the pillar on which his son was sitting, only to see a half-lion and half-human boar emerge from it. It was Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha who ripped the evil king’s torso apart with his nails and killed him.
Social, cultural and health significance of Holi
Holi serves as a unifying force across religions and castes while emphasising the triumph of truth over evil intentions. This vibrant festival, epitomising a riot of colours, strengthens relationships and reinforces the secular fabric of a society or country. Additionally, as a colourful spring festival coinciding with the readiness of winter crops for harvest, Holi provides farmers with a reason to celebrate.
Holi is also believed to promote good health as the revelry helps rejuvenate individuals during the lethargic spring season. According to Hindu traditions, circumambulating around the Holika bonfire purifies bodies and surrounding air by eliminating bacteria. Some types of herbal abeer or gulal used during Holi are also good for the skin.
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Colourful splash: Holi festivities and celebrations across India
While many celebrate Holi by offering roasted grains, popcorn, coconut and chickpeas into the bonfire, followed by applying colours such as abeer and gulal on each other’s faces and splashing water using pichkaris the next day, various destinations across India celebrate the vibrant festival in unique ways.
In Rabindranath Tagore’s abode, Shantiniketan, Holi is celebrated as Basanta Utsav. Women and young girls, adorned in bright sarees with flowers in their hair, walk through the streets singing and dancing. Similarly, many areas in West Bengal celebrate the festival with flowers instead of colours. Similar revelry can be experienced in Manipur as well.
A unique Holi tradition observed in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura-Vrindavan is Lathmar, where men shield themselves from their spouses while the women playfully hit them with sticks or lathis.
In Punjab, Holla Mohalla is celebrated a day after Holi in memory of brave Sikh warriors, featuring martial arts displays and musical performances.
Visiting Goa during Holi festivities provides an opportunity to experience Shigmo, featuring enthralling processions with music and dance.
However, some travellers visit Varanasi to experience Masan Holi, also known as Bhasm Holi, where people celebrate using ashes from cremated bodies as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
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Tickle your tastebuds: Holi sweets and delicacies
Every Indian festival boasts a signature dessert and Holi is certainly no exception. Amidst an array of gustatory delights associated with the festival, the quintessential gujiya steals the limelight. This refined flour-based sweet, filled with coconut and jaggery, then dipped in sugar syrup, is synonymous with the festival of colours. The aroma of gujiya fills almost every household during Holi, making it an integral part of the celebrations. Another iconic dessert is malpua, also a flour-based sweet soaked in sugar syrup but offering a distinct flavour profile.
In addition to gujiya and malpua, the sweet snack shakarpara is a Holi staple. Its savoury counterpart, namakpara, caters to those with a preference for savoury treats. Various types of papads or crackers made with potato, sago and rice are popular Holi snacks as well. Delectable savoury delicacies include dahi bhalla or dahi vada (curd-based fried balls made using soaked lentils) and moong dal samosas.
Many households also prepare puran poli or sweet parathas, especially in Maharashtra, as well as thekua, a snack originating from Bihar.
And who can forget Thandai, the staple Holi beverage made with milk, saffron and dry fruits? Sometimes spiked with a form of cannabis known locally as bhang, Thandai adds an extra zing to the festive spirit.
(Feature image credit: Kristin F. Ruhs/Shutterstock)
Related: Ringing In Holi 2024: Best Places To Celebrate The Festival Of Colours In India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best rituals associated with Holi celebration?
In addition to the common ritual of applying colours, the festival boasts many intriguing rituals, including Lathmar in Uttar Pradesh and playing with flowers in some parts of West Bengal.
Which are the best places in India to celebrate Holi 2024?
Some of the best places to celebrate Holi 2024 in India include Shantiniketan, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Varanasi.
What are some of the best desserts associated with Holi?
Some of the best desserts associated with the vibrant festival are gujiya, malpua and shakarpara.
What are some of the best delicacies associated with Holi?
Holi delicacies include various types of papads, dahi bhalla, namakpara and the refreshing cooler thandai.
What are some of the most unique Holi celebrations in India?
Lathmar and Masan are two of the most unique Holi celebrations in India.
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