Experience an India Holi Tour and Get spiritual Through the Festival of Colors

by State Express Tour Operator in India

Holi is a Hindu festival, also known as the festival of colors, celebrated throughout India. This auspicious festival is counted as the second most celebrated festival in India after Diwali. It is celebrated in March on Phalgun Poornima. The aptest part about this festival is that it is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country.

The onset of this festival does not just imply one thing instead has different meanings. This festival announces the end of winter and the beginning of the summer season. Holi is also associated with the eternal love of Lord Krishna and Radha. According to mythology, Holi is celebrated in due respect to the triumph of good over evil. Visiting India during the month of March would compel you to witness all the exciting ways in which this festival is celebrated. Your India Holi tour could not be exciting without you celebrating the festival in these places:

Barsana

Barsana is a small historical town in Uttar Pradesh. Barsana was home to Radha, where Lord Krishna used to go to tease her and her friends. Holi is played in quite a typical way here, also known as the 'Lath maar Holi.' It is celebrated for two days. On the first day, men from Nandgaon, Lord Krishna's village, go to Barsana to tease women in return to which they get beaten by 'Lath.' The men protect themselves from the thrashing with the help of a shield. And on the second day, women from Barsana go to Nandgaon to play Holi with the men there.

Shantiniketan

Holi is celebrated as a spring festival or Basant Utsav in Shantiniketan, West Bengal. The famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore initially started this custom as an annual event in Vishwa Bharti University. The students there make sure to celebrate it in a special manner by getting dressed in yellow clothes and adorn themselves with flowers. They also conduct different types of cultural programs to celebrate Holi like folk dances, drama, etc. Basant Utsav is also played with colors. Shantiniketan has become one of the major attractions for tourists who take the India Holi Tour.

Anandpur Sahib

Sikhs of Anandpur Sahib of Punjab celebrate Holi in their own unique way and by the name – Hola Mohalla. This was started by the famous Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singhji, to celebrate Holi but is actually celebrated one day after Holi.

Along with colors, Hola Mohalla is celebrated by displaying weapons and demonstrating types of martial arts. This festival is celebrated for three long days in a grand manner wherein Kirtans, poetry competitions, mock battles, exhibitions, and are held. Many other exciting and fun activities are conducted like experts performing daring feats, horse riding, tent pegging, etc.

Goa

Along with being a great tourist spot for sun basking on the beaches and rave parties Goa also serves as a festive destination. Holi is referred to as Shigmotsav in Goa. Holi is celebrated with grandeur in Goa for almost a fortnight. On the final five days, processions, parades, performances by troupes are held on Shigmotsav. The last day is celebrated with sprinkling colors, which is mostly enjoyed by the beaches by localities as well as tourists.

Mathura and Vrindavan

Holi is basically considered to originate from Mathura and Vrindavan from the Rasleela of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Krishna was born in Mathura and spent his childhood in Vrindavan because of which Holi is the most celebrated festival of this place. Mathura conducts a famous show a week before the festival, and processions are taken from temples to the river and then to Holi Gate. The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan is specially opened on this day for the pilgrims to play with colors.

Mathura and Vrindavan has become one of the major attractions for tourists who take the Holi festival tour package.

Some Other festivals celebrated in India are:-