🎨 Where to go for Holi in India: Barsana, Vrindavan, Jaipur and Hampi

Holi in India is celebrated for more than one day. In some regions the festivities stretch for a week, in others everything wraps up in a single morning. If you are planning a trip for March 2026, pick your destination in advance: in Barsana, men from a neighboring village are met by women with sticks, in Punjab people wrestle and tie turbans instead of throwing color, and in Vrindavan they celebrate for seven days straight. The main celebrations in 2026 fall on March 3 and 4 (according to India Today). Below are ten places where Holi is celebrated in a special way, with verifiable details.

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Holi 2026: dates and what you need to know

💡 In short:

Holi 2026 in India: March 3 and 4, and in Barsana and Vrindavan the festivities start a week earlier.
Each place is built around its own tradition: sticks, wrestling, elephant parades, nighttime bonfires.
Hotels sell out early for peak dates, especially in Vrindavan and Udaipur.
Holi 2026 dates and festival schedule: verified on 09/12/2026, source

1. Barsana: Lathmar Holi with sticks

The women of Barsana chase men from the neighboring village of Nandgaon with sticks. The ritual is called Lathmar Holi, and it takes place a week before the main holiday. The men can only shield themselves and dodge. The next day, the residents of Nandgaon return the favor, and the colors fly in their village instead. Barsana lies not far from Mathura, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Come here a few days before the ritual: you will also catch Laddu Holi, when sweets are thrown into the crowd and those gathered sing songs about Radha and Krishna. There is no official program; everything is run by the local temples.

Where to stay: check prices on Trip.com

2. Mathura and Vrindavan: a week of color

Mathura is considered the birthplace of Krishna, and Vrindavan the place where his childhood unfolded. Here Holi lasts a full week. Seven days before the holiday, the celebrations begin at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple, and in Vrindavan everything revolves around the Banke Bihari temple. The finale falls on Dhulandi, when everyone without exception pours and throws color. During the day, a colorful procession moves through Mathura: it starts at Vishram Ghat and ends near Holi Gate. On the day of Holi itself, the most convenient place to experience the colors is near the Dwarkadheesh temple. Come to Vishram Ghat right after sunrise, and you will see the priests' ceremonies without the crowds. The order of days was verified on 09/12/2026.

Where to stay: choose a hotel in Vrindavan

3. Shantiniketan: Holi as a spring festival of art

Gaur Prangon square in Shantiniketan in the evening

In Shantiniketan, Holi turns into a spring festival of art. It was introduced by the poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore: he called the celebration Basanta Utsav and tied it to Visva-Bharati University. Students wear clothes in spring colors and prepare a program with dances set to Tagore's songs. The colors are thrown only at the end, after the performances on the open stage. The festival usually takes place a day before Holi, so it is easy to combine with a trip to Kolkata. You can watch from the street; no ticket is needed.

4. Purulia: folk Holi

In the Purulia district, the holiday lasts three days and is carried by village performers. You sing together with the locals and watch rare folk forms: the martial chhau dance, the natua dance theater, and the songs of wandering Baul musicians. The residents organize everything themselves to preserve the tradition. The journey takes about five to six hours by train from Kolkata (according to the organizer). You can sleep in tents; the conditions are spartan, with shared facilities. Booking is handled by a foundation that supports the poorest families in the region, so the trip also brings money to the village.

Where to stay: find accommodation in West Bengal

5. Anandpur Sahib: the Sikh warrior Holi

Nihang Sikhs in blue robes resting in camp

Sikhs in Punjab celebrate Hola Mohalla. Instead of color, they show strength and agility here. The tradition dates back to the early 18th century and was introduced by Guru Gobind Singh. Anandpur Sahib hosts wrestling competitions, martial arts, practice sword fights, acrobatic military exercises, and a best turban contest. You can watch all of this from the street, no separate ticket needed. Arrive early: during the festival the town fills with pilgrims, and there are almost no free rooms left in guesthouses. While you are there, also see the Anandpur Sahib fort and the nearby Keshgarh.

Where to stay: see options in Punjab

6. Udaipur: the royal Holi

Udaipur celebrates Holi in royal style. On the evening before the festival, locals light bonfires: the ritual is called Holika Dahan and symbolizes the victory over evil. A procession with horses and the court orchestra of the Mewar dynasty moves from the royal residence to the city palace. Then the sacred fire is lit and an effigy of Holika is burned. You can watch the procession from the streets of the old city for free. Book hotels around Lake Pichola well in advance for these dates, otherwise only distant areas will be left. In the morning, colors fly in the squares near Jagdish Mandir.

Where to stay: hotels in Udaipur on Trip.com

7. Mumbai: Holi in Dharavi

In Mumbai, you can spend Holi in Dharavi, the city's largest slum area. Local companies such as Reality Tours and Travel run tours there, and afterwards they organize a celebration with colors and music for residents. The trip is run calmly and with a guide, so you do not need to worry about crowds. The organizers leave a significant part of the revenue for projects in Dharavi itself. The money goes to schools and to the work of local guides. Sign up in advance: groups for Holi days fill up quickly.

Where to stay: accommodation in Mumbai on Trip.com

8. Jaipur: Holi and elephants

Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur under a cloudy sky

In Jaipur, on the eve of Holi, they used to hold an elephant festival: a parade, a beauty contest among the animals, folk dances, and tug-of-war. In recent years the procession has been canceled after protests from animal rights activists, so it is worth checking the program before your trip. The city itself is interesting even without elephants: the Pink City, hilltop forts, spice and textile bazaars. Holi here is celebrated in courtyards and squares, and in the evening bonfires are lit. Colors are sold at every market, a bag costs very little. Keep in mind that the streets in the old city are narrow, and you will get doused with color from balconies.

Where to stay: hotel prices in Jaipur

9. Delhi: the musical Holi

Holi revelers covered in colors on Paharganj street

In Delhi, the festival is loud and not particularly gentle. If you are staying near the Paharganj area, be prepared for children and shop owners to douse you with color without warning. A more organized option is the Holi Cow festival outside the city: music, non-toxic dyes, and security. The venue serves bhang lassi, sells street food, and turns on sprinklers. Live bands and DJs play. Buy tickets in advance, a line forms at the entrance. If you want something quieter, head to the suburbs or wait out the day in your room.

Where to stay: hotels in Delhi on Trip.com

10. Hampi: Holi in the south

Granite boulders and panoramic view of Hampi from above

Holi is loved in northern India, but Hampi in Karnataka is the exception. From early morning, people drum, dance, and perform skits among the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire. Then the crowd heads down to the river to wash off the color. It looks striking: granite boulders, old temples, and a cloud of colored powder above them. The celebration is driven by locals and visitors, with almost no tourist shows. Arrive the evening before to catch the preparations and easily reach the part of the ruins you want in the morning, before it gets hot.

Where to stay: options near Hampi

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is Holi in 2026?

The main celebrations fall on March 3 and 4. In different states, the dates shift by a day due to the lunar calendar. Check the exact times locally.

Where is Holi the most unusual?

Depends on what you're after. In Barsana, it's Lathmar Holi with sticks; in Anandpur Sahib, wrestling and a turban competition; in Udaipur, bonfires and a royal procession; in Hampi, a festival among the ruins. For music, choose the Holi Cow festival in Delhi.

How many days does the festival last?

In most cities, everything fits into one day, with a bonfire the night before. In Purulia, the festival stretches over three days, while in Shantiniketan it's limited to a single day before Holi.

Is it dangerous to travel to India for Holi?

On the streets, people throw color at everyone indiscriminately, so covered clothing and eye protection won't hurt. At organized venues like the Delhi festival, they use non-toxic dyes and keep things under control. In Mumbai, the Dharavi tour is done with a guide.

Where to stay during Holi?

If you want to save money, look at options in the suburbs and travel in the morning. In Purulia, simple tents are available, and in Shantiniketan it's convenient to base yourself in Kolkata.

In short: what to book

If you want the loudest tradition, go for Mathura and Vrindavan: they have the most accommodation options. For a celebration with live music and DJs, head to the Holi Cow festival in Delhi; for a ruins atmosphere, Hampi works well; and for a royal picture, Udaipur. You can easily find accommodation for these dates here: check prices on Trip.com.

Holi 2026 in India: 10 places with the most unusual tradition