Are you planning to celebrate the festival of Holi in India? Our India travel guide lists the best destinations in India for the Holi celebration. This guides you through the best activities and events the major destinations host during the festival of colors—Holi in India.

Holi is one of the important festivals in India, celebrated across the country with zest and zeal. Holi is a spring festival celebrated all over India and in the world by Indians. This festival takes place on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna, which falls in March. The festival celebrates the victory of goodness and camaraderie. People celebrate this festival with colors and gulal. Before the celebration of Holi, Holika is burned. This year, Holi is on Friday, 14^th March 2025. The day is fast approaching, so pack your bags, book your India tour packages, and gear up for an unforgettable Holi celebration in India.

Best Places to Visit for Holi Festival in India

India is a diverse country. Each state in the country celebrates this festival in different ways. Different states refer to this festival with different names as well. Like in Maharashtra, Holi is referred to as ‘Rang Panchami’. In Uttar Pradesh, Holi is famously known as Lathmar Holi. In Punjab, the festival is celebrated as Hola Mohalla, while in Bihar it’s called Phaguwa. West Bengal observes Dhol Yatra, Kerala enjoys Manjul Kuli, and in Manipur, it’s referred to as Yawol Shang. Each region adds its unique flavor and traditions, making Holi a diverse and vibrant celebration across India.

All the states perform different rituals and celebrate the festival for longer than usual. The celebration of this festival includes dancing, singing, playing with colors and water, and enjoying delicacies with a traditional drink ‘Thandai’ that contains Bhanga—cannabis sativa plant leaves.

Here are the top destinations in India for Holi celebrations that everyone must visit and experience once in their lifetime.

1) Mathura, Uttar Pradesh—Krishna Janmabhoomi Holi

The abode of Lord Krishna, Mathura, located just 160 km from Delhi, is the best and most popular destination for the Holi festival in India. The Braj region is famous worldwide for its biggest celebration, the Holi Festival, which lasts for 40 days. The festival starts with “Basant Panchami” and culminates with “Rang Panchami”—the fifth day after the main Holi celebration.

Mathura is the birthplace of the lord Shree Krishna. People still believe that Shree Krishna lives in the Braj region. Hence, devotees throng to celebrate this pious festival with Kanha himself. As the region sees a massive influx of tourists during the festival, book your Holi tour packages in advance.

2)Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh—Phoolon ki Holi

The temple town of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is famous for its “Phoolon Ki Holi.” This temple is the epicenter of the Holi celebration in the Krishna-obsessed town. Most of the famous Holi celebration photos in India that you see on the internet and social media, in which a courtyard filled with flowers and people covered with colors from head to toe, are taken here only. This festival is celebrated a few days before the actual Holi celebration in the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. Priests of the temple shower Banke Bihari Ji (manifestation of Lord Shree Krishna) with an abundance of flower petals. Then they shower these petals on the devotees as well, making the festival exuberant and pure joyous for people.

3) Barsana, Uttar Pradesh— Lathmar Holi

People say your ‘Braj Ki Holi’ is just incomplete if you don’t visit Barsana—the birthplace of Radha Rani. Barsana is just 40 km from Mathura, one of the famous destinations in India for Holi celebrations. The iconic Lathmar Holi celebration takes place in Barsana. This is one of the liveliest celebrations you can ever witness in your life. People recreate the scene of Shree Krishna and Radha Rani. Shree Krishna used to tease Radha Rani and her friends (Gopikas). This festival is celebrated with a mock battle between the men of Nandgaon and the women of Barsana. Women playfully attack men with sticks.

The celebration of Lathmar Holi spans two days. On the first day, the men of Nandgaon travel to Barsana. On the second day, the gopikas (female) travel to Nandgaon to participate in the rituals.

4) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

One of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India, Varanasi is famous for the Holi celebration. It is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in India. Holi in Varanasi is not only about the colors, it is a concoction of devotion, music, and tradition. This spiritual land celebrates Holi in different ways—standard Holi celebration, Bhasam Holi or Masan Holi, and Rangbhari Ekadashi. The standard Holi celebration is like the nationwide Holi celebration. Bhasam or Masan Holi and Rangbhari Ekadashi are entirely different from the standard celebration.

Rangbhari Ekadashi Holi is celebrated a few days before the actual Holi festival. This commemorates the holy reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is said that Ranghbhari Ekadashi is celebrated after their marriage, Mahashivratri. On the next day, Bhasam or Masan Holi is celebrated. It is said that Lord Shiva, with his Vahana—Nandi Bull and other entourage visit Manikarnika Ghat. There, he blesses his devotees and plays Holi with the ash of pyres. Besides, Holi takes place in every nook and corner of the town. The city even hosts one of the major events where people celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm and relish in local cuisines and drinks—Thandai.

5) Jaipur, Rajasthan—Holi Celebration at Royal Ambiance

Jaipur, the Pink City, is famous for its vibrant Holi celebration in India. With some regal palaces and gigantic forts, Jaipur offers numerous places to play Holi. The festival of Holi in Jaipur is filled with Rajasthan music, dance, and cuisines. You will get a distinctive flavor in different venues ranging from royal palaces to local streets. Indulge yourself in the celebration of Rajasthani Holi in Jaipur. City Palace hosts the grandest celebration in the town, where guests are treated to a feast like Kings and Queens. And people who want to experience the local culture can indulge in the local streets for Holi celebrations like in Johari Bazaar, Badi Chaupar, and Tripolia Bazaar and enjoy Holi like a true Jaipuri! The celebration is buzzing here with energetic songs, dance, and an abundance of colors.

6) Udaipur, Rajasthan— The Royal Holi at the City Palace

Holi is not just a festival in India but a celebration of camaraderie. It is a magical experience filled with colors, music, enjoyment, and tradition. The festival becomes even more grand when you celebrate it in Udaipur. Udaipur’s scenic beauty, serene lakes, royal palaces, and vibrant streets make the festival an unforgettable celebration for everyone. If you are planning to celebrate Holi in Rajasthan, Udaipur is the best place for you.

You will witness the biggest celebration of Holika Dahan in Udaipur. On the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan is celebrated. The Mewar family of Udaipur grandly celebrated Holi. They light a ceremonial bonfire in the courtyard to begin the celebration of the Holi festival. On the day of the Holi festival, a crowd goes on a procession from the royal palace to the City Palace. The procession includes adorned elephants and horses marching on the road, followed by a royal band. Everyone plays “Rangwali Holi” on the streets of Udaipur with colors, music, and dance. The best place to celebrate Holi in Udaipur is Jagdish Chowk.

7) Hampi, Karnataka—The Underrated Destination for Holi Celebrations in India

Holi is not a major festival in South India, but Hampi drenches itself in colors on the day of Holi. Hampi is one of the best tourist destinations in Southern India, famous for its temples and Vijayanagara ruins. However, the town celebrates the Holi festival with great zest and zeal. Holi is celebrated every alternate year in Karnataka, which attracts many tourists from different parts of the country. Holi in Hampi is a notable event. A procession takes place during the festival, where the crowd celebrates with music and drumming amidst the ruins of Hampi.

8) Pushkar, Rajasthan— A Sacred Holi Celebration Destination in India

One of the famous tourist and pilgrimage destinations in Rajasthan, Pushkar has always been a haven for foreigners and local tourists to celebrate the Holi festival in India. Holi is the festival of colors. Forgetting all the resentments, people celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and spread love. Holi celebration in Pushkar has created a different place in the world. You will feel the enthusiasm in the atmosphere. You can feel the Holy vibes from the beginning of March, and the ambiance bursts with colors. If you are on your Rajasthan tour to celebrate Holi, include Pushkar in your Rajasthan tour package to have an unforgettable Holi celebration.

9) Mumbai, Maharashtra—Splash in the Holi Concerts, Events, and Parties

Holi is not only about playing with colors but also about dancing your heart out during the biggest events of the Holi Celebration in Mumbai in 2025. Holi celebration in Mumbai is a spectacle of joy. Many people gather to celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. From traditional celebrations to the biggest parties and events, Mumbai offers a wide range of experiences to indulge in the Holi celebration. Holi parties in Mumbai are the perfect blend of cultural richness and contemporary entertainment that people would not find anywhere else.

10) Delhi—Perfect Blend of Traditional and Modern Holi Celebration

Besides Mumbai, Delhi is one of the best destinations in India for Holi celebrations. Delhi offers a mix of tradition, modern festivities, and diverse experiences. With huge DJ parties and fun events, celebrating Holi in Delhi is a must. You can even find some of the major temples in Delhi that celebrate Holi with Bhajans and Gulal. Many big agencies organize Holi events at different locations in Delhi NCR, which continue for two days. However, the cultural events and Holi-themed parties in Delhi start celebrating a few days before the actual festival of Holi. This makes March the best time to visit Delhi.