Holi 2025: The Festival of Colors

Holika Dahan (Bonfire Night)

On the evening before Holi, communities gather around large bonfires to symbolically burn away evil and negativity. Devotees circumambulate the fire, offer grain and coconut, and sing devotional songs. The ash from the bonfire is considered auspicious and is applied to the forehead.

Playing with Colors

On the main day, people throw dry coloured powder (gulal) at each other, spray coloured water from pichkaris, and douse everyone from buckets. Traditional colours were made from flowers and herbs — today gulal is widely available. The chaos and laughter of colour-playing dissolves social barriers.

Regional Celebrations

Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon (near Mathura) is famous for women beating men with sticks while men try to shield themselves. Phoolon ki Holi in Vrindavan's Banke Bihari temple uses flower petals. In Bengal, Holi is called Dol Yatra and includes processions with images of Radha-Krishna.

Thandai and Festival Foods

Thandai — cold milk blended with nuts, rose petals, and spices — is the traditional Holi beverage in North India. Gujiya (sweet fried pastries filled with khoya and dried fruit), puranpoli, and malpua are common festival sweets. After playing, families and friends share a meal and exchange sweets.

What is the story of Holika and Prahlad?

The Holika Dahan bonfire commemorates the story of Prahlad — a devoted young follower of Lord Vishnu who was the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu had been granted a boon making him nearly indestructible, and demanded that everyone worship him rather than Vishnu. Prahlad refused and was subjected to numerous attempts on his life, all of which failed due to Vishnu's protection. Finally, Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika — who possessed a boon of immunity to fire — sat in a bonfire with Prahlad in her lap, intending to burn him alive. But the boon was conditional (it only worked when Holika was alone). Holika burned and Prahlad emerged unharmed. This victory of devotion over evil is commemorated by the Holika Dahan bonfire.

How is Holi celebrated differently in different regions of India?

Holi celebrations vary dramatically across India. In Barsana and Nandgaon (Uttar Pradesh), Lathmar Holi sees women playfully beat men with sticks while men shield themselves with shields — re-enacting Krishna's teasing of Radha. In Vrindavan, the Phoolon ki Holi at the Banke Bihari temple uses flower petals instead of colours. In West Bengal, Holi is called Dol Yatra or Dol Purnima and involves processions carrying images of Radha-Krishna on decorated palanquins. In Manipur, Yaosang (the Manipuri Holi) features traditional Thabal Chongba folk dancing. In Punjab, Hola Mohalla — celebrated by Sikhs a day after Holi — features martial arts demonstrations and wrestling competitions.