Holi

Holi is a major Hindu festival associated with spring and the arrival of the new season. It is widely known for the use of coloured powders and water, alongside gatherings with family, friends, neighbours, and community groups.

The festival combines religious observances with social customs and public celebration. Its forms vary considerably across India and among communities in Nepal and the wider diaspora.

• Holika Dahan — observed on the evening of Phalguna Purnima in many traditions, marking the beginning of the main festival sequence.
• Rangwali Holi — the following day, when coloured powders and water are commonly used in public and private celebrations.
• Phalguna Purnima — the full moon of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna, which determines the timing of Holi.

Holika and Prahlada — One widely known tradition tells of Prahlada, a devotee of Vishnu, surviving an attempt by Holika to destroy him in a fire. Holika Dahan recalls this story and is associated with the triumph of devotion and righteousness.

Radha and Krishna — In many North Indian traditions, Holi is connected with the playful relationship of Radha and Krishna. The use of colour is associated with their stories and with themes of affection, play, and devotion.

Spring and renewal — Holi also marks the seasonal transition toward spring and is commonly associated with renewal, social connection, reconciliation, and leaving old grievances behind.

Holi developed from older seasonal and religious traditions on the Indian subcontinent. References to festivals involving colour, springtime celebration, and related rituals appear in historical Indian literature and cultural traditions.

Over the centuries, regional customs shaped the festival in different ways. Religious stories, local traditions, devotional practices, music, food, and public colour play now form distinct expressions of Holi across South Asia and diaspora communities.

At home — Families prepare festive foods, visit relatives and friends, exchange sweets, and may play with dry colours or coloured water in a familiar setting.

Worship — Many Hindu households and communities observe prayers or rituals connected with Holika Dahan and the stories associated with Holi.

In public — Neighbours, community groups, and visitors may gather in streets, courtyards, parks, temples, or organised venues to share colours, music, dancing, and food.

The celebration commonly begins with Holika Dahan, when a ceremonial bonfire is lit on the evening before the main colour celebration. The following day is associated with Rangwali Holi, when people meet, exchange greetings, apply coloured powder, and splash coloured water. Later, families and friends often return home, wash and change, share food, and continue visiting and socialising.

Braj region — Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and nearby areas are strongly associated with Krishna traditions and have distinctive devotional and community celebrations, including forms such as Lathmar Holi.

West Bengal — Holi is closely linked with Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima in many Bengali communities, with devotional processions, music, and images of Radha and Krishna.

Punjab — Hola Mohalla, observed around the same seasonal period, has its own Sikh religious and martial traditions and should not be treated as simply another name for Holi.

Nepal — Holi is widely celebrated with coloured powders, water, music, family gatherings, and public festivities, with local customs varying by community and place.

• Holika Dahan
• Playing with gulal
• Splashing coloured water
• Visiting family and friends
• Exchanging sweets
• Music and dancing
• Sharing festive meals

Gulal — Coloured powder used during the main day of Holi, representing the playful and communal character of the celebration.

Holika bonfire — The ceremonial fire associated with the story of Prahlada and Holika and with the idea of overcoming harmful forces.

Colours — Bright powders and coloured water express celebration, play, and social interaction, with specific colour meanings varying by tradition rather than following one universal code.

Pichkari — A traditional water-squirting device commonly used during colour play.

• Holi is commonly associated with the full moon of Phalguna in the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
• Holika Dahan and the main colour celebration are normally observed on successive days.
• Holi is celebrated in many parts of India and Nepal and is also observed by diaspora communities around the world.
• Rangwali Holi is known for the use of gulal, coloured water, and pichkaris.
• Different regions have distinct names, rituals, foods, music, and styles of celebration.
• Dol Jatra and related regional traditions overlap with Holi's seasonal and lunar timing but have their own local religious and cultural practices.