You’ve heard of the festival of colors, you know how crazy it gets- all the music and dancing. But did you know that in some places people celebrate Holi with flowers, sticks, turmeric, and even mud? Wanna see men voluntarily get whacked by women? Head to Barsana. Prefer a flower-petal rain instead of water balloons? Vrindavan has you covered. The point is, in India, festivals are not rigid, there are different interpretations of historical and religious texts and yes, they might cause conflict but they are also revered and celebrated. This is a sub-continent with a history that dates thousands of years, this is a place which can literally fulfill most of your Bucket List plans, seriously. Let’s get to it.
Before we talk about different types of holi celebrations in India, let’s clear the air with some necessities. This year, 2025, Holi will be celebrated on the 13th and 14th of March at most places. In fact, you can plan a long weekend holiday based on your preferences (check out this blog on how to plan long weekends of 2025)
Religious Significance of Holi
Let’s look into why is holi celebrated in short:
- Holika and Prahlada: the victory of good over evil and is commemorated with Holika Dahan (bonfire) on the eve of Holi. This is the most commonly known interpretation.
- Radha and Krishna: A playful throwing around of colors, another type of holi in Vrindavan and Mathura
- Kama and Rati: The return of the god of love and being united with his wife, celebrated to honor love and filial relationships.
- Dhundhi’s defeat: To defeat the ogress, children acted like their naughty selves and drove her away, and its inspired a tradition of being playful and joyous!
- The Sikh community observes Hola Mohalla, initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, as a display of martial arts and military spirit.
14 Different types of Holi celebrations in India
A festival as diverse as Holi has a way of finding many different variations of its celebrations. And we’ve got ‘em for you! Don’t forget to add these places to your Explurger Bucket List!
1. Lathmar Holi – Barsana and Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh
Basically the legend says that, Lord Krishna visited Barsana, Radha’s village, and playfully teased her and her friends. In response, the women of Barsana chased Krishna and his friends away with sticks, or ‘lathis.’ So now, the women playfully hit men with sticks (lathis), re-enacting the legend. The men protect themselves with shields, and it’s a whole scene of joy and laughter. These towns are named after Radha (Barsana) and Krishan (Nandgaon), and Lathmar holi is one of the different types of holi celebrations in India and it attracts thousands of tourists every year. It’s not strictly based in U.P., you can find different variations in places like Rajasthan as well.
Best Places to Celebrate Holi for Your 2025 Long Weekend
2. Phoolon Ki Holi – Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
So you’ve been beaten/ or done the beating, now what? Let’s head to Vrindavan where devotees play with flower petals. This place is associated with Lord Krishna’s childhood and unlike the usual rowdy Holi revelry, this celebration has a divine and peaceful vibe, with people just swaying in devotion and using certain ‘substances’ to enhance their ‘joy’, if you catch my drift. (you didn’t hear that from us!)
If you get a chance to immerse yourself in one of the different types of Holi celebrations in India, don’t hesitate!
3. Royal Holi – Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan
These two cities take Holi to the next level. There are grand processions featuring decked-out horses, elephants, and vibrant folk performances. Think of it as a regal parade straight out of a period drama, culminating in a bonfire for ‘Holika Dahan’ and a feast fit for kings.
Jaipur has the legendary ‘Elephant Festival,’ where majestic, painted elephants strut their stuff in processions, play polo, and even join in on tug-of-war matches. If you are interested in observing how animals are made to play for humans, how they are treated and such, go to Rajasthan and observe the festivals, and stay till the end to really catch the sight of what these festivals turn out to be for the animals.
4. Basanta Utsav – Shantiniketan, West Bengal
West Bengal loooves Rabindranath Tagore and if you have any doubt about it, this section will clear that right up. Not only is the Nobel laureate worshipped at the universities, they have managed to bring it out on the streets and celebrate his genius. Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan is a cultural spectacle that blends Holi with literature, music, and dance. Students of Visva-Bharati University, founded by Tagore, dress in yellow (symbolizing spring) and present mesmerizing performances of Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore’s compositions), poetry recitals, and folk dances.
The atmosphere here is sophisticated, artistic, and unlike any different types of Holi celebrations in India. Visitors often travel to Shantiniketan specifically to witness this graceful and intellectual take on the festival.
5. Yaosang – Manipur
Manipur celebrated Holi or, Yaosang for six straight days with traditional folk dances, music, and rituals. One of the highlights is ‘Thabal Chongba,’ a traditional Manipuri dance that is an essential part of the culture. If you are interested in seeing how different cultural practices come together under one roof, Holi is your best bet.
Unlike the more chaotic color play seen elsewhere in India, Yaosang has a more structured and community-driven approach to Holi, focusing on cultural and religious aspects.
6. Manjal Kuli – Kerala
In Kerala, Holi is known as ‘Manjal Kuli’. That’s right, it’s not just the north that partakes in Holi, there are different types of Holi celebrations in India, all over NSEW. Here for instance, instead of the vibrant gulal used in North India, people play with turmeric and water. The festival is celebrated mainly in the Konkani and Gaud Saraswat Brahmin communities in Kerala.
Manjal Kuli is a gentler and more spiritual celebration compared to its North Indian counterpart, emphasizing purity, prosperity, and well-being.
7. Shigmo – Goa
Goa’s version of Holi is called ‘Shigmo,’ and it lasts for several days and features parades, elaborate floats, folk performances, and street plays. Now you didn’t just associate Goa with parties cause let me tell you that’s just a small part of the Goan life. This place brings pomp to participation!
One of the biggest highlights is the vibrant processions where performers, dressed as mythological characters, showcase Goan folklore through dance and drama.
Ready for a perfect long weekend? Make Goa your Future Travel Plan with Explurger and you’ll get to know about more and more things you can make your travel better with!
8. Rang Panchami – Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s Holi celebrations, known as ‘Rang Panchami,’ focus more on color play and water fights. It is your typical take on Holi. But there’s one thing though, there’s a unique aspect of Holi in Maharashtra is the tradition of breaking the ‘Dahi Handi’ (curd pot), inspired by Lord Krishna’s childhood. Young men form human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with buttermilk, symbolizing Krishna’s love for butter.
So I guess that’s one of the different types of Holi celebrations in India.
9. Dolo Jatra – Braj region (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Tripura and W. Bengal)
Dolo Jatra, celebrated in the Braj region, is the Eastern version of Holi. Devotees apply abir (colored powder) to the idols of Radha and Krishna and seek blessings for prosperity. In Assam, they sing “Phaku khele korunamoy” by the 16th-century Assamese poet Madhavdev, especially at the Barpeta Satra.
10. Kumaoni Holi – Uttarakhand
Holi in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region is celebrated musically with ‘Baithaki Holi’ and ‘Khari Holi.’ These traditions involve gathering in community spaces to sing classical ragas and folk songs related to the festival. Unlike any other different types of Holi celebrations in India, the Kumaoni people focus on Music as a channel to express their spirituality and also, celebrate!
11. Bhojpuri Holi – Bihar
Holi in Bihar is known for its energetic and lively atmosphere, where people celebrate with ‘bhang’ (a cannabis-infused drink), Bhojpuri folk songs, and dhol beats. It is one of the most enthusiastic among different types of Holi celebrations in India, because of its sheer energy. If you wanna see Bollywood Live, go to Bihar.
12. Hola Mohalla – Punjab
In Punjab, Holi takes on a warrior-like spirit in the form of ‘Hola Mohalla,’ started by Guru Gobind Singh. Instead of playing with colors, Sikhs display martial arts, mock battles, horse riding, and other physical prowess.
The celebration highlights bravery, discipline, and community bonding, making it distinct from other different types of Holi celebrations in India.
13. Mud Holi – Haryana
In some parts of Haryana, Holi is played with mud instead of colors. This tradition is believed to build camaraderie among villagers, as they smear each other with mud while enjoying folk songs and dances
14. Bhagoria Haat – Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
The Bhagoria or Bhangoria festival marks the end of the harvest season with a week-long pre-Holi bash in March. It is celebrated by the communities of Bhil, Bhilala, and Pateliya tribes in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra across districts like Barwani, Dhar, and Jhabua. It is super local and relatively unknown to the people who only associate Holi with Pushkar LOL! It is one of the most important among different types of Holi celebrations in India because Tribes need to protect their culture lest they be erased by colonizers and companies.
Now you have it, the different types of Holi celebrations in India, paying homage to the different historical backgrounds and religious interpretations of the same festival. The beauty of Holi lies in its adaptability—how it evolves to fit the traditions, beliefs, and histories of different regions. These different types of Holi celebrations in India are a testament to how festivals can be both playful and deeply meaningful. So, this year (which can be any year depending on when you’re reading this, but it hardly matters), get out of your comfort zone, go and celebrate. Make sure you are respectful of people’s emotional and religious boundaries, and don’t let anything stop you from having a great time.
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FAQ’S about Different Types of Holi Celebrations in India
What are some ways to celebrate Holi?
Holi is celebrated by playing with colors, dancing to folk music, enjoying festive sweets, attending cultural events, observing Holika Dahan, and visiting temples. You can enhance your celebrations by experiencing unique regional traditions like mud, flower, and turmeric Holi.
How is Holi celebrated in different parts of India?
Each region adds its own cultural twist to Holi:
North India – Vibrant color play, folk songs, and grand processions.
West India – Shigmo parades and Dahi Handi celebrations.
East India – Artistic performances and community gatherings.
South India – More spiritual observances with turmeric and water.
Northeast India – Traditional dances and a six-day-long festival.