Let the colours of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness.”
Holi, the vibrant festival of colours, is one of India’s most joyful and widely celebrated occasions. Known as the Festival of Colours, Holi marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the spirit of unity that transcends caste, creed, and culture. It’s a time when the country bursts into a kaleidoscope of colour, music, tradition, and celebration.
But did you know Holi isn’t celebrated the same way everywhere? Across the vast and diverse landscape of India, every region adds its own unique flair to the festivities. From royal processions in Rajasthan to flower-filled rituals in West Bengal, Holi takes on different forms—each more enchanting than the last.
Here’s how India celebrates Holi, state by state—a journey worth taking.
1. Rang Panchami – Maharashtra
“Colours speak louder than words.”
In cities like Mumbai and Pune, Holi culminates in Rang Panchami, celebrated five days after Holika Dahan. People take to the streets with gulal (coloured powder), dancing to dhol beats, singing traditional songs, and feasting on sweets. This celebration symbolizes the joy of letting go and embracing togetherness.
2. Lathmar Holi & Holi Milan – Uttar Pradesh
“Play like Krishna, love like Radha.”
In Barsana and Nandgaon, women playfully beat men with sticks in the famous Lathmar Holi, reenacting tales from Lord Krishna’s youth. Vrindavan and Mathura light up with Phoolon Ki Holi, where flowers replace colour in a divine celebration of love and devotion.
Holi Milan brings everyone together—strangers and friends alike—to share colour, food, music, and joy. Bonfires light up the night, symbolizing the burning away of evil.
- Lathmar Holi: Held in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, Lathmar Holi is a unique tradition where women playfully beat men with sticks, while men try to defend themselves. The event is tied to the legend of Lord Krishna and Radha, where Krishna, known for his playful nature, would go to Radha’s village to tease her and her friends. This ritual has become an important part of Holi celebrations in these towns, drawing huge crowds every year.
- Holi Milan: Holi Milan is a social gathering that involves people from all walks of life coming together to celebrate the festival with colours, music, and dance. The day is marked by bonfire rituals, where the burning of Holika (a demoness) symbolizes the victory of good over evil. People light bonfires in the evening, sing devotional songs, and celebrate with family and friends.
In Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Holi is celebrated with similar fervour, where Phoolon Ki Holi (the flower Holi) is also observed. In this event, people throw flowers instead of colours, and it creates a beautiful and vibrant atmosphere.
3. Holla Mohalla – Punjab
“Strength and celebration go hand in hand.”
A day before Holi, Punjab’s Holla Mohalla transforms into a festival of martial spirit, led by the valiant Nihang Sikhs. Sword fights, horse riding, and spiritual displays fill the air with power and pride, followed by joyous bursts of colour and music.
This celebration is an amazing mix of bravery, spirituality, and festivity. The celebration begins with a procession where participants display their skills with swords, spears, and horses. The Nihangs, who are known for their distinctive blue attire and weapons, lead the procession, and people from all over join in. The festivities are followed by music, dance, and the throwing of colours, making it one of the most exhilarating ways to celebrate Holi.
4. Shigmo – Goa
“Holi is not just a festival; it’s a carnival of joy.”
Goa celebrates Shigmo, a cultural extravaganza filled with folk dances, vibrant floats, and traditional songs. Whether it’s Dhakto Shigmo in villages or Vhadlo Shigmo in the cities, the atmosphere is electric with energy and expression.
In Dhakto Shigmo, the celebrations are smaller and more community-oriented, with rural people coming together to sing, dance, and play with colours. Vhadlo Shigmo is more elaborate and includes decorated floats, large parades, and public festivities. Fishermen’s boats are adorned with religious and mythological themes, and the vibrant colours and folk performances add to the celebratory mood.
5. Royal Holi – Udaipur (Rajasthan)
“Live like royalty, celebrate like the people.”
In Udaipur, Holi becomes a royal affair. A ceremonial bonfire, led by the Mewar royal family, marks the beginning of the celebration. Decorated elephants, horses, and royal processions sweep through the streets, uniting nobility and locals in a grand celebration of colour and culture.
The celebrations also include a grand procession featuring decorated elephants, horses, and royal bands. The procession is accompanied by music and dance, making it an extravagant sight. The people of Udaipur participate in this royal celebration by throwing colours, feasting on traditional dishes, and dancing in the streets. The entire city becomes a canvas of vibrant colours, blending royalty with commoners in joyous unison.
6. Kumaoni Holi – Uttarakhand
“Music is the colour of the soul.”
In Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region, Holi is celebrated with classical ragas, folk music, and spiritual gatherings. Baithaki Holi, Khadi Holi, and Mahila Holi reflect a deep cultural rhythm where music and devotion replace water and powder. It’s a soulful celebration of harmony.
Three distinct types of Holi are celebrated here:
- Baithaki Holi: A musical affair where people gather to sing classical ragas in groups, accompanied by traditional instruments like the sitar and tabla.
- Khadi Holi: In this version, men wear traditional attire and participate in folk singing and dancing, with instruments like dhol and hurka.
- Mahila Holi: As the name suggests, this is an exclusive celebration for women, where they perform songs and dances in a traditional manner.
The Cheer, a green Paiya tree branch, is also placed in the middle of a bonfire during the Holika Dahan ceremony. People gather around the fire to sing traditional songs that highlight the triumph of good over evil.
7. Manjal Kuli – Kerala
“Turmeric’s golden hue, tradition’s vibrant soul.”
In Kerala, Holi is known as Manjal Kuli, where turmeric water replaces coloured powders. This subtle yet meaningful celebration is filled with devotional songs and rituals, reflecting both purity and unity in a calm and connected way.
This celebration is not as large-scale as in other parts of India, but it is unique in its use of turmeric and its ties to local traditions. Manjal Kuli is also known for its connection to agricultural life, as it marks the beginning of the harvest season in the region.
8. Dhuleti – Gujarat
“Let joy be your colour, and laughter your festival.”
The day after Holika Dahan, Gujarat celebrates Dhuleti, with folk music, dance, and lots of gulal. Traditional sweets like doodh-pak and gujiya fill homes, as people laugh, play, and forget past grievances in a vibrant celebration of life and love.
In Gujarat, people celebrate the victory of good over evil by lighting bonfires, symbolizing the burning of Holika. The festival is also an opportunity to enjoy traditional sweets like doodh-pak and gujiya while bonding with family and friends.
9. Dol Jatra – West Bengal
“In the dance of devotion, colours bloom.”
In West Bengal, Holi becomes Dol Jatra, a celebration of Lord Krishna with devotional music, graceful dances, and even a flower battle—Phool Dole. It’s a poetic and artistic tribute to the divine, where flowers float like blessings in the air.
One of the most unique aspects of Dol Jatra is the Phool Dole (flower fight) tradition, where people throw flowers at each other instead of colour powder. This gentle form of celebration creates a beautiful scene as colourful flowers fill the air, creating an artistic and peaceful vibe.
10. Meduru Holi – Andhra Pradesh
“Spring paints the sky; Holi paints our hearts.”
In Andhra Pradesh, Holi is celebrated as Meduru Holi, blending agricultural roots with devotional fervour. People sing bhajans, throw colours, and welcome the new harvest season, making it a festival of both prosperity and unity.
Like in other parts of India, Holi is also a time to forget old grievances and come together in joy and harmony.
Conclusion: A Unified Celebration of Unity, Love, and Joy
“Holi is the time to unwind, de-stress and bond with sweets, thandai, and colours!”
Whether you’re dancing in the streets of Goa, watching a royal parade in Udaipur, or singing ragas in the hills of Uttarakhand, Holi offers an experience unlike any other. Across all its forms, it celebrates one truth: love, unity, and joy
As we celebrate the festival of colours , let us remember that this festival also carries a deeper message – to embrace the arrival of spring with open hearts, forgive past grievances, and spread love and happiness wherever we go. Holi, in all its vibrant forms, continues to be a symbol of togetherness and joy for millions of people around the world.
So, whether you’re planning to visit India or simply want to experience the festival of colours, Holi offers an unforgettable experience that brings people together in the most colourful way possible!
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