A festival full of colours, excitement and enthusiasm, Holi, for many, is the most awaited festival. The day sees friends, family and loved ones drenched in colours. Like most Indian festivals, Holi signifies the triumph of good over evil and also encourages new beginnings of positivity. Holi also marks the start of the spring and therefore is popularly known as 'Basanta Utsav' in the Bengal region.
While the popularity of this vibrant festival transcends the subcontinent boundaries, there are a few places in India, which take Holi celebration to the next level!
Let us take a look at the five best places to celebrate the festival of Holi in India.
Basanta Utsav at Shantiniketan, West Bengal
The Holi festival is celebrated by the name of ‘Basanta Utsav' in the Bengal region. The tradition of celebrating Basanta Utsav, which literally means a Spring Festival, has emerged since Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore started its celebration at Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan. On the Full moon day, students dress up elegantly in yellow (basanti) colour to welcome the spring season.
Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
The Dwarkadhish temple is one of the largest and oldest temples in Mathura city, the birth-place of Lord Krishna. It was built for the famous Hindu deity Dwarkadhish, the king of Dwarka. It has a black marble idol named Dwarkanath, which is a form of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates Holi festival with "a riot of colours". Many devotees visit the temple to experience this colourful riot!
The Banke-Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
The Banke-Bihari temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is situated in the holy city of Vrindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. The temple has a week-long Holi celebration which includes playing with dry colours, gulaal, singing prayers dedicated to Lord Krishna.
‘Lathmar Holi’ in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
Barsana is the birth-place of Lord Krishna's beloved consort Radha. In Barsana, Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha and her friends. It is also believed that Krishna began the tradition of colours by first applying colour on Radha's face. After many centuries, women of Barsana play witty revenge, when men come to apply colours they are greeted with sticks! This celebration of Holi and witty pranks is popularly known as ‘Lathmar Holi’ in Barsana.
Fanciest Holi in Hampi, Karnataka
Lastly, one of the most famous places include Hampi in Karnataka. The Hampi located in the old ruins of the Vijayanagara dynasty has the fanciest Holi parties in South India. Many tourists visit the place to experience its cultural and historical ambience during the Holi festival.
We wish you all a very Happy Holi.
