Beyond Colors: Unique Holi Traditions Across India

Summer is rising with its temperature, signifying it’s time for colours, Holi! March is all about colours, splashes, dance, music, good food and chaos that makes your heart swirl.  Holi Hai! A festival in Indian tradition that doesn’t only bring you together, but makes you realize how beautiful an occasion can be!

Holi that we see now and the stories and ritual anecdotes passed on to us are so different that it’s stunning to observe how much the festival can evolve through years and years. I bet each one of you has different versions of knowing, playing and indulging in this festive mode.

Here I’m sharing a story or actually nostalgic tradition that you might have heard about and it’s time to walk through that memory lane once again. Across India, different regions celebrate Holi in their unique styles, blending history, tradition, and vibrant culture. From the playful stick fights of Barsana to the flower showers in Vrindavan, every Holi experience is a journey into India’s festive spirit.

1. Barsana Lathmar Holi – The Festival Where Women Rule

Where? Barsana & Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh
 Best Time: 4-5 days before Holi

Ever heard of a Holi where women chase men with sticks? Welcome to Lathmar Holi in Barsana, the town of Radha Rani! This quirky tradition is inspired by Lord Krishna’s playful attempts to color Radha and her friends. In return, the women of Barsana playfully “beat” the men from Nandgaon with sticks (lathis), making it one of the most exciting and entertaining Holi celebrations in India.

Why Visit?

• A thrilling mix of fun, tradition, and history
• A must-capture moment for photography lovers
• Witness the grand celebrations at the Radha Rani Temple

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Delhi (150 km away)
• Nearest Railway Station: Mathura Junction (50 km away)
• From Mathura, take a local taxi or bus to Barsana

2. Vrindavan Phoolon Ki Holi – The Most Beautiful Holi Celebration

 Where? Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
 Best Time: One day before Holi

Forget water balloons and colored powders—Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan is all about playing with fresh flowers! Inside the famous Banke Bihari Temple, devotees throw petals at each other while chanting Krishna bhajans. The atmosphere is divine, colorful, and fragrant, making this a one-of-a-kind spiritual Holi experience.

Why Visit?

• A softer, spiritual way to celebrate Holi
• Perfect for families & international travelers
• A photographer’s paradise with vibrant floral showers

 How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Agra (55 km away) or Delhi (160 km away)
• Nearest Railway Station: Mathura Junction (15 km away)
• Take a taxi or rickshaw from Mathura to Vrindavan

3. Hampi Holi – The Grand Celebration in Karnataka’s Heritage Town

Where? Hampi, Karnataka
 Best Time: On Holi day

Holi in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is unlike anywhere else in South India. Here, travelers and locals come together to celebrate with organic colors, drum beats, and dance performances against the backdrop of the magnificent Vijayanagara ruins. Unlike North India, where Holi is largely celebrated in temples and streets, Hampi’s version is more of a backpacker’s festival, attracting travelers from all over the world.

Why Visit?

• Experience Holi in a UNESCO heritage site
• Best for travelers looking for a mix of history & festivity
• Join the musical Holi procession along the Tungabhadra River

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Hubli (160 km away) or Bangalore (350 km away)
• Nearest Railway Station: Hospet Junction (13 km away)
• From Hospet, take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to Hampi

4. Shantiniketan Basanta Utsav – Holi with a Cultural Twist

 Where? Shantiniketan, West Bengal
 Best Time: One day before Holi

If you love art, culture, and music, then Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan is a must-visit Holi destination. Inspired by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, this festival blends Holi with Bengali folk traditions, including Rabindra Sangeet performances, dance processions, and poetry recitals. Instead of wild colors and loud celebrations, Shantiniketan Holi feels more poetic, elegant, and artistic.

Why Visit?

• A culturally rich Holi experience
• Best for families & art lovers
• Witness the students of Visva-Bharati University performing in traditional attire

️ How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Kolkata (163 km away)
• Nearest Railway Station: Bolpur (3 km away)
• From Bolpur, take a cycle-rickshaw or taxi to Shantiniketan

5. Anandpur Sahib Hola Mohalla – The Warrior Holi of Punjab

Where? Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
 Best Time: Day after Holi

If you think Holi is all about colors and fun, think again! Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib is a Sikh festival of valor and strength, celebrated with mock battles, martial arts displays, and horse-riding stunts. Established by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, this Holi celebration showcases Sikh bravery, tradition, and community spirit.

Why Visit?

• Witness daredevil martial arts performances by Nihang Sikhs
• A blend of history, spirituality, and festival vibes
• Experience free langar (community feast) and devotional kirtans

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Chandigarh (90 km away)
• Nearest Railway Station: Anandpur Sahib (2 km away)
• From Chandigarh, take a taxi or bus to Anandpur Sahib

6. Udaipur Royal Holi – The Grand Celebration of Rajasthan

Where? Udaipur City Palace, Rajasthan
 Best Time: Holika Dahan Eve

For a royal touch to Holi, head to Udaipur, where the Mewar royal family hosts an extravagant Holika Dahan ceremony. The evening begins with a grand procession of elephants, horses, and folk dancers, followed by the traditional burning of Holika at the City Palace courtyard. This elegant and cultural Holi is a must-experience for luxury travelers and history lovers.

Why Visit?

• Witness a royal Holi celebration with traditional rituals
• Perfect for those looking for a heritage & luxury experience
• Enjoy the stunning City Palace illuminated for Holika Dahan

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur (22 km away)
• Nearest Railway Station: Udaipur Junction (2 km away)
• The City Palace is easily accessible by taxi or auto-rickshaw

7. Manipur Yaoshang Holi – A Five-Day Festival of Culture & Colors

Where? Imphal, Manipur
 Best Time: 5 days starting from the full moon of Phalguna

Holi in Manipur is celebrated as Yaoshang, a unique blend of Holi traditions and local Meitei customs. The festival includes Thabal Chongba (moonlit dance), sports competitions, and colorful festivities at Govindajee Temple. Unlike the loud Holi celebrations of North India, Yaoshang is more about community bonding, dance, and tradition.

Why Visit?

• A completely different Holi experience in Northeast India
• Witness Thabal Chongba – the traditional Manipuri dance
• Experience the blend of Hindu and indigenous Meitei cultures

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Imphal Airport
• Take local transport from Imphal city to various Yaoshang event locations

8. Goa Shigmo Festival – Holi with a Carnival Vibe

Where? Across Goa
 Best Time: Mid-March (coinciding with Holi week)

For those who want to celebrate Holi by the beach, Goa’s Shigmo Festival is the perfect mix of colors, parades, folk performances, and party vibes. This spring festival of Goa includes float parades, drumming performances, and vibrant cultural shows, making it one of the most vibrant Holi celebrations in West India.

Why Visit?

• Enjoy Holi with a Goan touch—traditional yet fun!
• Witness the Shigmo float parades with folk performances
• Perfect for beach lovers & Holi partygoers

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airport: Goa’s Dabolim Airport
• Holi events take place in different towns—check the local Shigmo schedule

9. Kokan Shimga Holi – A Coastal Celebration of Spring and Tradition

Where? Konkan Coast (Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka)
 Best Time: March (around the same time as Holi)

Kokan Shimga is the Konkani version of Holi, celebrated in the coastal regions of Maharashtra, Goa, and parts of Karnataka. The festival is marked by vibrant colors, folk music, dances, and community gatherings, with a focus on celebrating spring and marking the victory of good over evil. It’s a more traditional and folk-based celebration compared to the colorful Holi of North India.

Why Visit?

• Experience a unique coastal version of Holi with local customs and vibrant street celebrations
• Enjoy traditional Konkani folk music and dance like “Dhol Tasha” and “Shimga Geet”
• Take part in colorful powder fights, water splashes, and community feasts
• Witness the strong blend of Hindu and coastal Konkani traditions

How to Reach?

• Nearest Airports: Dabolim Airport (Goa) or Ratnagiri Airport (for smaller towns in Konkan)
• Take local transport from major towns like Ratnagiri, Alibaug, or Goa to explore Shimga celebrations in nearby villages

India’s Holi celebrations are as diverse as its culture. Whether you want to experience the legendary Lathmar Holi in Barsana, the floral beauty of Vrindavan, the royal traditions of Udaipur, or the musical vibe of Delhi’s Holi Moo Festival, there’s a Holi destination for everyone.

So, where will you be celebrating Holi 2025? Let us know in the comments!