Insider’s Guide to Celebrating Holi in India: What You Need to Know

The widely popular and well-known Hindu festival, Holi, causes India to practically burst into color every year before the summer heat sets in. The festivities, which are observed by Indian communities worldwide, particularly in northern India, are best renowned for their vibrant scenes of participants being covered in colored powder and drenched in water. Travelers should prepare for colorful mayhem as the motherland’s version of the celebrations heavily emphasizes themes of community, heritage, and honoring ancient Hindu beliefs. While Holi is a celebration with various customs most people associate it mostly with the tradition of flinging liquid and powdered colors at friends and family. Would you like to experience Holi in person in India? Then book last minute flight tickets to India and follow this insider’s guide to celebrating Holi in India.

When is Holi Celebrated?

Every year, this festival takes place on a different date.
Celebrated on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra (sometimes called Phalguna), Holi is a movable feast. This usually corresponds to the end of February or the beginning of March, but Holi occurs on March 25 this year.

People celebrate Holika Dahan, also known as Chhoti Holi (“Little Holi”), on the first day of the festival, to varying degrees. Typically, bonfires are lit to represent the burning of Holika, an asuri (an evil supernatural being), in the victory of good over evil. The main Holi festivities occur on the second day, also known as Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi. This marks the official start of spring, as North India’s temperatures climb shortly after Holi. So, book your cheap air tickets to Delhi from USA with Flyopedia accordingly!

What is the Story of Holi?

Indian mythology serves as the inspiration for the various ways that people celebrate Holi around the globe. In many places, people associate the event with the ancient Indian demon lord Hiranyakashipu. He requested his sister Holika to kill his son Prahlada, who was devoted to Vishnu. Holika wore a fireproof cloak and sat with Prahlada on a pyre to burn him. Holika burnt while the shroud protected Prahlada.

That night, when Vishnu killed Hiranyakashipu, good overcame evil. The night before Holi, a lot of Indians celebrate the occasion by lighting a big bonfire.

How is Holi Celebrated?

Although people frequently refer to the color-related aspect of Holi as “playing Holi,” the real event resembles a planned snowball fight. The majority of Holi participants use powdered or dry colors, but a growing number are also using liquid colors, which they typically pour using water cannons or balloons. A lot of people play Holi with their friends and neighbors, usually in the streets in front of their homes or their backyard gardens.

It is not unusual for strangers to approach you in public and wish you a happy Holi while lightly applying some color to your face. Sadly, some people use Holi as an excuse to disregard the idea of consent, dousing others in color or even touching them without their consent. When out and about on Holi, especially if you come across gatherings of young guys or teenage males, be cautious. Also, you can check out Flyopedia.ca to grab the cheapest flights from Canada to India.

Insider Tip: If someone offers you thandai, a drink mixed with milk, almonds, and herbs, know that it may contain bhang, a preparation of cannabis that can get you high. Traditionally, people drink bhang thandai on Holi, when the effects are far more potent and trippy than what most people get from smoking.

What should You Wear to a Holi Celebration?

Holi is the perfect occasion to wear white clothing, but make sure it’s something you can easily discard afterward, even your underwear. It’s a good idea to dress comfortably so that it won’t restrict your movement or make you stumble.

It’s also a good idea to apply oil, preferably coconut, to any exposed body area for around 30 minutes before heading outside to play. The pigments will still “stick,” but they will adhere much easier to remove later because the temporary buffer will create between your skin and the hues. If oily skin bothers your face and you have sensitive skin, a thick layer of moisturizer is an excellent alternative.

Insider Tip: Let your hair air dry for a minimum of one day before participating in Holi. The natural oils will better protect your hair and scalp from color damage.

What Holi Colors Should You Buy?

After choosing your attire, it’s time to purchase colored powder, or gulal, to throw at other competitors. Just use caution—some commercial colors contain elements that could be dangerous, such as lead oxide or dyes that can trigger allergic reactions. Fortunately, gulal made of organic materials—such as flowers and herbs—is easy to get.

Insider Tip: You can make your own homemade Holi colors at home using simple ingredients like flour or cornstarch and food coloring.

Therefore, everything you need to know about the colorful festival of Holi is in this blog post. So, book your cheap flight tickets to India from USA with Flyopedia and dive into the colors, culture, & customs of Holi.

Also Read: Want Some Offbeat Holi Experience In India? Explore These 6 Places