WE CELEBRATED HOLI IN INDIA | WHAT TO EXPECT
Each year the streets of India become a colourful playground when the country celebrates Holi. Dating back over the centuries, this festival is one of the most significant to the Hindu religion and one that has been on our bucket list for the longest time!
We have never experienced anything like it and we so excited to share our Holi experience with you all! Check out the video below to see what it was like running around the streets of Jaipur covered head to toe in colour, and keep on scrolling for all our advice & tips to have a safe & fun Holi experience.
What is the Holi Festival & How is it Celebrated?
Holi is a spring festival that is basically a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. The festival also coincides with the end of winter and the beginning of a new season, which makes the festival also a time to give thanks for a a good harvest. It is a time to come together and end any conflicts you may have in your relationships with others.
The Holi festival begins with a large bonfire where people gather and perform religious rituals and prayers in hopes that anything evil will be destroyed in the fire. The following day is where the real fun begins where people hit the streets to throw colour powder at anyone they see.
These celebrations take places across cities, town & villages across the country.
When is the Holi Festival?
The Holi festival takes place over two days, starting on the day of the full moon in the month of Phalguna, the twelfth month of the Hindu calendar. This usually falls in late February and mid March.
Holi will be celebrated on the following dates over the next few years:
2020 - Tuesday 10th March
2021 - Monday 29th March
Where is the Best place to Celebrate Holi?
Holi is celebrated more in the north of India, although it is celebrated across the country, the south just tends to be a more calm celebration. You will find something special in every city, however the top places to celebrate in India are Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Udaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa & Jaipur.
Top Tips for Holi
Holi can be quite the overwhelming experience and it is a good idea to be properly prepared before you head to the steets to join in on the celebrations.
Wear old clothing as the dye can stain. We suggest going to a local market and buying a cheap white top & trousers.
Leave your valuables behind. The streets are very busy and you wouldn't want anything to get broken, damaged or lost.
Cover your camera. There will be water and colourful powder flying at you from all directions. We suggest buying yourself a protective covering for you camera and phone which are sold in a bunch of street vendors across India.
Protect your hair and eyes. If you don't want to have pink streaks in your hair for th next few weeks after Holi, its best to put coconut oil in your hair to help it not get stained. We also suggest wearing sunglasses to stop the powder getting into your eyes.
Safety Warning
As with any event with a large number of people coming together, there are things you need to keep in mind when celebrating with the locals. Many people get intoxicated during this day, and some people to behave inappropriately on Holi. We suggest if you want to head out into the streets go early, with a group of people and avoid the peak time of celebrations. There are also many celebrations held at hotels or locations that have security if you want to celebrate out of the streets.
IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE ALL THIS AND MORE, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING OUT THE 13 DAY TOUR WE DID IN INDIA WITH ON THE GO TOURS.
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A big thank you to On The Go Tours for inviting Flying The Nest to visit India and sponsoring this incredible trip, as always all opinions are our own.