Holi — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
To be a part of this festival, plan your next India tour around March. Below are some tour highlights and tips that will help you enjoy it to the fullest.
Holi Tour Highlights
- Learn the Hindu tale of the triumph of good over evil that inspired Holi. Hear the captivating story of the god Vishnu who saved Prahlada from perishing in a raging bonfire.
- Witness the bonfires that illuminate the night during the eve of Holi. Statues of the demon Holika are tossed into the bonfires all over India representing the defeat of all things evil.
- Cast aside typical social barriers and watch individuals from all walks of life come together to celebrate love and friendship. Everyone is considered equal during the Holi festival and it is amazing to see those of all social classes enjoying the festivities.
- Taste local delicacies of the region you are celebrating the festival in. From gujjias in northern India to puran poli in southern India, you will have many delicious treats to sample on your Holi tour.
- Exchange gifts with friends or locals to celebrate fellowship, new beginnings and a peaceful community.
- Enjoy the entertaining tradition of breaking the buttermilk-filled pot that dangles high above the streets. Watch local men climb on top of one another to break the pot while women sing and toss buckets of water.
- Take part in the main event of the lively festival and play with the vibrant colours that fill the streets. Throw powdered colour bombs, spray others with coloured water, and soak up the exuberant Holi spirit that fills the air.
- Sing and dance to customary Hindi folk songs as the sounds of the dholak, an Indian drum, reverberate throughout the streets.
Holi Travel Tips
- Find a group of people to celebrate with as the streets can be potentially dangerous when trying to enjoy the festivities alone. A few friends or a host family will create a more enriching experience during your Holi trip.
- Do not try bhang lassi! This sweet drink is concocted from cannabis leaves and can make you extremely intoxicated.
- Use natural colours instead of chemical ones in order to prevent your skin, clothes, and hair from being damaged.
- Wear old and light-coloured clothing during your Holi tour experience. It is a tradition to wear lighter colours since the radiant powdered bombs shine brighter and you want to use clothes you do not mind throwing away afterwards.
- Leave all your personal belongings at home or stowed away in a safe location. If there are items you must bring, place them inside a waterproof bag to prevent them from being ruined.