होली
Holi
The festival of colours, played the morning after Holika Dahan with gulal, water and sweets.
About Holi
Holi, also called Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi, is celebrated on Chaitra Krishna Pratipada, the day after the Holika bonfire. It welcomes spring and the end of winter.
People of every age play with gulal and coloured water, visit friends and forgive old quarrels. Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana celebrate for days, including the famous Lathmar Holi.
How to celebrate
Start by applying gulal to elders and to the idols at home.
Play colours in the morning, with friends and neighbours.
Share gujiya, thandai, dahi bhalla and malpua.
Bathe in the afternoon and visit family in the evening.
Do
- Use natural or herbal colours
- Oil your hair and skin before playing
Avoid
- Colours on animals
- Forcing colours on people who do not want to play
The story
Young Krishna, worried about his dark skin, asked his mother why Radha was so fair. Yashoda playfully told him to colour Radha's face, and the play of colours began in Braj.
Questions
When is Holi in 2026?
Holi 2026 is on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Krishna Pratipada tithi begins at 5:07 PM on Tuesday 3 March and ends at 4:49 PM on Wednesday 4 March IST.
Is Holi celebrated on the full moon?
The bonfire is on Phalguna Purnima. The colours are played the next morning, on Krishna Pratipada.
What is Lathmar Holi?
A Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon where women playfully beat men with sticks, re-enacting Krishna teasing the gopis.
Around Holi
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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