A festival that beautifully compliments the colorful essence of India, the festival of colors- Holi. It is marked to celebrate the arrival of spring, a festival of love and a bit of playfulness that invokes great excitement. Much like the famous La Tomatina of Spain and Thailand’s Songkran, the celebrations are of a messier kind, but well that’s what makes it the most fun-filled festival. Smearing gulal and sprinkling colored water on each other is the perfect way bid goodbye to winters and welcome the Spring.
Like any other festival in India, Holi too is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. Listed below are a few of chosen Holi festivities that have gained immense popularity amongst the foreign visitors, be it from the USA or the European nations. So to experience this festival in India, grab last minute flight deals to India and enjoy the festivals
Want to be a part of the best Holi celebrations in India? Then the most popular place to be at the time India would be Vrindavan-Mathura. Thousands of tourists flock to Vrindavan to be a part of the fascinating festival of Holi here every year. The true essence of the festival is felt here, as it is the abode of Radha-Krishna.
Of great attraction for tourists are the celebrations at Bakai-Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, where they see a unique spirit of devotion, with people drenched in colors and singing devotional songs.
Another interesting spot is the Gulal-Kund lake near the famous Govardhan mountain. Localities perform Krishna-lila and dramatize the legends of Krishna who is famous for his notorious pranks he played on Radha and her gopis.
In various place in Vrindavan, holi is still played with flower petals however spray colors, gulal and colored water has replaced them at large.
The Lath-mar Holi in Braj (which is the region that include the historical region associated with Lord Krishna and includes Mthura, Vrindavana and the neighboring areas). In addition it is another very popular form of the fesitve celebrations. Unique in the sense, the celebration includes women beating up men with lath (a traditional wooden stick) all in good humor. The legend has it that Krishna once visited Barsana from Nandgaon, and teased Radha and the other gopis. Which infuriated them and all the gopis picked up their lathis (sticks) to chase him away. Keeping the tradition, each year men from Nangaon come to play holi with the women of Barsana. And are made to run back with some beatings.
The whole event, accompanied by song and dance, is a hysterical treat to watch for those on the sidelines. The Lath Mar Holi each year records a high number of tourist participation. As foreigners greatly enjoy the playfulness of the entire festivity. To be a part of the fun and galore, get cheapest flights to Delhi from USA and it’s a short-tip to Barsana from there.
The Holi celebration down North are no less than the Northern festivities. It is celebrated with much gusto in these parts too, like in Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, the festival is known as the Shimga or Rangpanchami. It is a five day celebration, and play of colors is reserved for the 5th day.
For foreign visitors, the part which is of great fascination is the exciting breaking of pot event. Much like the Dahi-Handi festival celebrated in the state in August/September; a similar procession takes place during the Holi festival. Dahi-Handi (a pot filled with Lord Krishna’s favorite-buttermilk) is hung at a great height in the middle of the street. A group of trained men, make human pyramids to reach the top and break it. This practice finds it’s roots from the stories of Lord Krishna’s stealing of butter-milk in his childhood.
The fun is added by womenfolk, throwing colored water to distract the men trying to break the pot and steal the butter-milk. Besides this, a special dish called Puranpoli is made on the special day.
Get your best deals to India from USA and be a part of the amazing Indian festivity. Drench in the Indian tradition, soak yourself in the vivid culture. Immerse in the colors of love and brotherhood. See the Incredible India, in it’s true colors 😉
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