Holi

Holi History

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, end of winter, and signifies the victory of good over evil. Known as the festival of colours, Holi engulfs Indian societies with joy and love, as it brings together people of all age groups, castes and communities. A key aspect of Holi is the playful tossing of organic coloured powders, which embodies the spirit of unity and equality, as all participants become uniformly drenched and indistinguishable.

Holi’s origins trace back to ancient Hindu stories. The most common tale recounts the demon King Hiranyakashipu, his son Prahlada, and the king’s sinister sister, Holika. Resilient Prahlada, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, triumphed over his tyrannical father's attempts to murder him, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. This tale, along with other fables associated with Lord Krishna, forms the spiritual and cultural essence of Holi for Hindus throughout India. A particular tradition observed during Holi is the 'Holika Dahan', where a bonfire is lit on the eve of Holi, representing the burning of wicked Holika and the righteousness of Prahlada.

Holi celebrations in India are exuberant and involve gatherings in both public and private spaces, where participants engage in the throwing of coloured powders and water, singing, dancing, and merry feasting. The festival starts with "Holika Dahan", followed by the 'colour play' the next morning, also known as "Rangwali Holi". The timing of Holi is tied to the lunar calendar and typically falls in late February or early March, marking the arrival of spring season.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Holi in India

• A rare celestial event will coincide with the festival as a partial lunar eclipse is expected to be visible in several parts of India on the evening of March 3, 2026.
• Because of the eclipse, the traditional Sutak period will be observed by many, leading to a high volume of queries regarding the specific auspicious timings or muhurat for performing the Holika Dahan ritual.
• The legendary Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon is scheduled to take place in late February, nearly a week before the main festival, drawing massive interest toward travel and safety in the Braj region.
• In the holy city of Vrindavan, the specialized observance known as Phoolon Wali Holi will see devotees playing with flower petals instead of traditional powders at the Banke Bihari Temple.
• Cinema enthusiasts are looking forward to the theatrical release of the Bollywood sequel Pati Patni Aur Woh 2, which is currently slated to debut around the festive weekend.
• The 40-day long Rangotsav festival in Mathura, which begins as early as Basant Panchami, will reach its peak with unique regional traditions like the Chhadimar Holi in Gokul.
• Many people will be looking for traditional recipes for festive staples like Gujiya and the cannabis-infused milk drink known as thandai, which remain central to the culinary experience of the day.
• Detailed skin and hair care routines, particularly the practice of pre-oiling with coconut or almond oil to protect against synthetic gulal, are essential preparations for participants across the country.
• The ritual of Widow Holi in Vrindavan continues to be a significant cultural touchpoint as it breaks centuries-old taboos by allowing widows to participate in the play of colors.
• Eco-conscious celebrations are expected to drive interest in DIY methods for creating natural colors using kitchen ingredients like turmeric, beetroot, and marigold flowers.

In the News and Trending in India for Holi

Top things to do in India for Holi

• Decorate your home with colorful ribbons and adornments to recognize the Holi festival. Marigold flowers are traditionally hung over balconies, railings and staircases. Sofa cushions are often covered with bold, bright colors. Walls are traditionally covered with colorful fabric patchwork.
• Eat at an Indian restaurant on this day to enjoy some Holi specialty sweet dishes such as shakarpara (sweet crispy bread), gujjias (sweet fried dumplings), kheer (rice pudding) and malpua (pancakes).
• Visit Mathura and Vrindavan: These cities are closely associated with Lord Krishna, and hence, they are renowned for their Holi celebrations. In Mathura, Holi is celebrated for over a week with various unique rituals like Lathmar Holi and Flower Holi (Phoolon ki Holi).
• Read a book to read to learn more about Holi Festival in India?
  Festival of Colors - by Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal: A beautifully illustrated book that introduces the joyous Indian festival to children.
  Holi – The Fire Festival - by Bina Rai: It offers great insights into the festival, its significance and the way it is celebrated.