The festival of colours, love and spring. On the night of the full moon bonfires burn for Holika; the next day friends and strangers throw coloured powder and water at each other, sing, dance and share sweets — nowhere more exuberantly than in the towns of Krishna’s Braj.

Colours for the end of winter

Holi is one of the great Hindu festivals, a celebration of colours, of love and of spring. It honours the love of Radha and Krishna, marks the end of winter and the blossoming of the new season, and invokes a good spring harvest. For many, it is also a time to mend broken relationships and set old conflicts aside.

It lasts a night and a day, beginning on the evening of the full moon in the month of Phalguna.

The fire of Holika

On the night before, people gather around bonfires for Holika Dahan, the burning of Holika, singing and dancing around the flames. The fire recalls the legend of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, whose sister Holika tried to kill his son Prahlada, a devotee of Vishnu, by taking him into a fire. Though she was protected against flames, Holika burned to ashes while Prahlada was unharmed — the triumph of good over evil.

The day of colours

The next morning, people take to the streets and throw coloured powder, called gulal, and coloured water at one another. Groups move from house to house singing folk songs and dancing to the dholak drum, and between rounds of colour they offer sweets and drinks. Traditionally the colours were made from flowers and medicinal plants such as palash, neem and turmeric.

Holi in Braj

Holi has a special place in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, the land associated with Radha and Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon and Gokul. In Vrindavan the festival lasts sixteen days. In Barsana, thousands gather in the courtyard of the Radha Rani temple for Lathmar Holi, when the women of the town chase the men with long sticks called lathis while the men shelter behind shields, and the crowd sings and shouts “Radhe Radhe”.

Holi goes by many names across India — Dol Jatra and Basanta Utsav in Bengal, Phakuwa in Assam, Yaosang in Manipur, Shigmo in Goa.

When it happens

Holi begins on the evening of the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna, usually in March and sometimes in late February. The day of colours, the official holiday, is on 23 March 2027 according to the Government of India’s list; the bonfires of Holika Dahan burn the night before. In the Braj region around Mathura the celebrations stretch over many days.

March 23, 2027Officially announced

Visiting with respect

Good to know

Expect to be covered in colour if you go out on the day of Holi. Wear old clothes you do not mind ruining, and protect your eyes, phone and camera.
Playing with colour is an invitation, not an obligation. Say so clearly if you do not want to take part, and respect other people’s wish not to.
Many Holi drinks contain bhang, made from cannabis. Ask what is in a drink before accepting it.

Stay safe

Holi crowds can be very dense, particularly in Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana. Stampedes have occurred at crowded events in India, and women travellers frequently report harassment; stay with people you trust.
Take particular care of your belongings in crowds.

Food and drink

Gujiya

Sweet fried dumplings, among the delicacies offered to friends between rounds of colour.

Thandai

A cold, spiced milk drink of the festival — sometimes mixed with bhang.

Malpua

Sweet pancakes, especially loved in Bengal since Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is said to have asked his followers to share them at Holi.

Sources

This entry was written from the following sources.

HoliWikipedia (English) · read September 16, 2026

List of Holidays for the Year 2027 (Gazetted), DoP&T O.M. dated 16.07.2026Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India (via StaffNews) · read September 16, 2026

India travel advice: safety and securityUK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · read September 16, 2026

Holi