6 places to visit in India to celebrate Holi

1.Lathmar Holi – Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh celebrates the Holi festival differently. The villages Barsana and Nandgaon celebrate Holi  known as ‘Lathmar Holi’ where women beat men with sticks. It is believed that Barsana is the birthplace of Radha and Lord Krishna used to go there to tease her playfully. It’s a two-day celebration, on the first day, men from Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) visit Barsana to tease women, then women run after men to hit them. On the second day, women from Barsana visit to Nandgaon to play Holi with men. Men protect themselves with shields. The main celebration takes place at the Ladliji temple, in Barsana.

2. Phoolon ki Holi- Vrindavan

One day before Holi (Ekadashi day) Phoolon ki Holi is celebrated at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. Vrindavan is the place where Lord Krishna has spent his childhood with friends. People throw flowers on each other and loudly chant Radhe Radhe.

3.  Braj ki Holi- Mathura

Braj ki Holi is celebrated at Dwarkadheesh temple in Mathura. Braj is the region where lord Krishna and Radha have spent their childhood. On this Day Krishna RaasLeela is conducted at Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura.  The door of the temple opens up for the visitors in the morning to play Holi with Lord Krishna.

4. Shantiniketan – Kolkata

In West Bengal Shantiniketan, Holi is celebrated as a spring festival or Basanta Utsav. This festival was started by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Bengali poet as a tradition in his Vishva Bharti University. It is a three-day folk festival, all the students dressed up in yellow colors and do cultural activities and sprinkle colors. Tourists visit Kolkata during this time for celebrating Holi.

5. Anandpur sahib- Punjab

Hola Mohalla is a Punjabi version of Holi. The name Hola is the man like name of the feminine holi. This festival is put up by Nihang Sikhs to show their martial arts and sword fights. In Punjab, Holi is celebrated with full energy and in different styles.

6. Elephant Festival- Jaipur

At Jaipur, Holi is celebrated in a grandeur way. The royal families in Jaipur grandly celebrate Holi. At the time of Holi, the Elephant festival is celebrated every year. The elephants are decorated with different colors, they do exciting elephant dance and polo games are organized. For tourists special events organized by at lawns of Khasa Kothi Hotel.

There are many more places in India which celebrate Holi in different and traditional ways. So this year celebrate your Holi at any of the famous destinations in India and sparkle the color of love and energy everywhere.