Holi Hotspots: Top Destinations to Enjoy the Festival of Colors
Ordering foreign currency is easy with OnlineFX.Let there be paint, laughter, and food! The Holi Festival, also known as the "Festival of Colors" is an ancient Hindu tradition celebrating the Hindu god Krishna. A joyous celebration born in India, this vibrant festival has spread across Asia bringing people together for singing, dancing, and color-filled chaos—throwing colorful powdered paint. Expect an explosion of hues, laughter, energy, and food, making it an experience you won’t forget!
Get ready to dive into the rainbow on March 14th as Holi marks the arrival of spring. If you miss the main event, don’t worry—the celebrations often last for days! India, Nepal, Singapore, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are the perfect spots for adventurous travelers to experience this lively and colorful festival.
Where Colors, Laughter, and Food Collide!
Gulal powder comes in a variety of colors, with some believing each hue has a different meaning:
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Green = spring and new beginnings
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Red = love, fertility, and strength
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Blue = Hindu god Krishna
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Yellow = auspiciousness and sunshine
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India
India’s celebrations are next level! It is the birthplace of Holi, so every town across the country celebrates by throwing colors and prayers into the air while welcoming spring, light, and goodness. The night before, you’ll find bonfires, singing, and feasts. Large processions sweep across towns to mark the occasion, as well as live performances and music.
According to locals, the best celebrations are in Mathura and Vrindavan. These cities, steeped in history and tradition, exude an old-world charm that’s hard to resist. As you wander through narrow lanes flanked by centuries-old houses and intricately carved doorways, you’ll feel like you've stepped back in time.
Must see temples:
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Krishna Janmasthan
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Banke Bihari Mandir
Local sweet: Gujiya is a deep-fried pastry filled with a mixture of khoya (reduced milk), sugar, and dried fruits like cashews and raisins.
Nepal
India’s neighbor, Nepal, celebrates Holi in a similar fashion, with colors, bonfires, and loud parties. The festivities begin about a week before Holi, so you’ll see decorations going up and hear music in the streets. Children start preparing water guns and balloons to mix with the colorful powder. The heart of the celebration is Kathmandu’s Basantapur Square, where the non-stop festivities will keep you dancing.
Nearby places in Kathmandu Dubar Square:
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Boudhanath Stupa, a magnificent Buddhist shrine.
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Swayambhunath Temple, known as the Monkey Temple, is an ancient religious complex perched atop Kathmandu Valley. One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for both Buddhists and Hindus.
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Nagarkot View Point Tower, is one of Nepal's most scencic spots, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
Local sweet: Sel Roti is a traditional homemade ring-shaped rice doughnut, deep-fried and often flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, and sometimes topped with nuts.
Singapore
While India celebrates Holi on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna (typically in March), Singapore's Holi festivities often take place a bit earlier in the month and may be held over a weekend or a few days, especially in areas like Little India. Immerse yourself in the culture:
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Little India, discover a harmonious blend of age-old tradition, authentic Indian food, cutting-edge architecture, and shops selling traditional garments and intricate jewelry.
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"Rang Barsay Holi" festival held on Sentosa Beach, March 8th.
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Gardens by the Bay, enjoy stunning floral displays and unique Supertree Grove, offering a beautiful backdrop for photos.
Local sweet: Thandai is a refreshing milk-based drink flavored with almonds, saffron, rose petals, and spices like cardamom and black pepper.
Bangladesh
Holi, also called Dol Purnima, is a celebration of good defeating evil, the end of winter, and giving thanks for a good harvest in Bangladesh. Many people visit shrines to express their gratitude and then throw perfumed powder in beautiful colors into the air. Temples all across the country will partake in this tradition, but the biggest celebration is in the capital city of Dhaka. The bustling city of Dhaka is home to numerous temples, many of which have stood for centuries, bearing witness to a significant part of its rich history.
Local sweet: Chomchom consists of milk that is cooked in sugar syrup with chopped nuts, malai cream, or grated coconut.
Pakistan
Hindus in Pakistan celebrate Holika by gathering friends together to celebrate good triumphing over evil. Many of the traditions are the same, such as bonfires, throwing colors, and music, but they’re typically on a smaller scale when compared to the celebrations in India. Big cities in Pakistan tend to have a larger population of Hindus, so you will find more elaborate Holi celebrations in the temples there, particularly in Lahore and Sindh.
Local sweet: Rasgulla are soft, spongy balls made from chhena (fresh cheese) soaked in sugar syrup.
What to wear to the Festival of Colors
Holi is messy, so don’t wear anything you want to keep. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect your skin. And wear glasses to shield your eyes.
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