Holi Festival 2025 in India

Holi, also called the Hindu Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring, is an annual celebration of cultural and religious importance. Typically observed in March in India, it marks the start of spring and emphasizes positive energy while leaving behind negativity. The festival is often referred to as the "Festival of Colours" or "Festival of Love" and highlights themes of love and the victory of good over evil. It is a day of fun and excitement when people throw colored powders and water on each other. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which usually falls between late February and mid-March.

Traditional Celebration

Holi begins with Holika Dahan on the first night when people gather around bonfires to pray and perform rituals, commemorating the story of Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who was destroyed by fire. The bonfires also symbolize the victory of good over evil. The second day, Rangwali Holi, is the festival of colors. People celebrate by throwing colored powder, spraying colored water, and using water guns and balloons. Festivities take place on streets, in parks, and near temples. The day is filled with joy and playfulness, offering adults a chance to embrace a carefree spirit.

Holi customs vary across India. In western India, boys form human pyramids to break a pot of buttermilk while girls throw colors at them. In Uttar Pradesh, the Lath Mar Holi tradition involves women playfully hitting men with sticks. Music and dance are integral to celebrations across regions. The colors used during Holi hold cultural meanings: blue represents Lord Krishna, green symbolizes spring and renewal, red signifies fertility and marriage, and yellow and red are associated with rituals.

Food

After the festivities, families and friends gather for special meals. Traditional foods include gujia, a sweet pastry, and thandai, a refreshing drink made with nuts, seeds, and spices. In some regions, bhang, a drink made from cannabis, is consumed to enhance the festive mood.

Locations

Holi is especially significant in the Braj region, including Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh state, which attracts most visitors during spring for the Holi celebrations.

Origins of Holi Festival

Holi’s origins are rooted in Hindu mythology. One legend tells of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who sought to kill his son Prahlada for worshipping Vishnu. With the help of his fire-immune sister Holika, the king attempted to burn Prahlada, but Holika perished instead, as Prahlada’s devotion protected him. The tradition of throwing colored powder is linked to the story of Krishna and Radha, where Krishna, self-conscious about his blue skin, playfully colored Radha’s face to match his own, symbolizing love and divine playfulness.