Holi 2024 Date

A Hindu festival Holi is celebrated in India and Nepal. It is a beautiful festival of colors which marks the end of winter season. The festival falls in the March month every year. It is celebrated with excitement all over the nation. It represents the triumph of good over evil. Besides it is known as the festival of colors, it is also celebrated as thanksgiving for better harvest. A day prior to Dhulendi or Phagwa, Holika Dahan takes place in the evening. Holi falls in the phalguna month’s final moon according to the Hindu calendar. The celebration begins a night before with Holika Dahan. It is a practice taking place from several centuries. People practice this celebration by gathering together and performing holy rituals. It is practiced with the faith that bonfire will take away all evils and bring success in our lives.

Holi in 2024 will be celebrated on March 25, Monday, 2024. Its declared a gazetted holiday in many states.

Why Holi is Celebrated

The festival marks the arrival of spring. Here is the story behind Holi festival:

Holi get its name from Holika, sister of demon king Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap got a boon from Lord Vishnu that he would never be killed by anyone. And thus Hiranyakashyap said that he should be worshipped instead of God. However, his son Prahlad continued to worship Lord Vishnu. And this made his father angry and asked him to jump from the mountain, but remained uninjured. When he was asked to jump from well, he remain unharmed. Once Hiranyakashyap even tried to poison Prahlad but poison turned to nectar in Prahlad’s mouth. Hiranyakashyap tried several methods to kill him but by God’s grace he was not hurt at all. Lastly, Holika made Prahlad sit on pyre with her. She was protected by shawl but shawl flew to Prahlad and Holika burned but Prahlad remains safe.

Later, Lord Vishnu appeared and killed Hiranyakashyap at dusk. A Holika bonfire lit every year to celebrate the victory of good over evil. After sunset, people gather around the pyre and perform religious rituals.

Rangwali Holi/Dhulendi

After Holika Dahan, Dhulendi or Rangwali Holi is celebrated. People enjoy smearing colors on one another. Children use water guns and water balloons on others. It is the most common way to enjoy this festival. Besides this, some people prefer putting gulal of their friends/families and organize a special lunch in club and resort. Pool parties are also organized in open spaces so that a huge number of people can make a lot of fun.

Holi Delicacies

Holi delicacies include ‘thandai’ and ‘Gujiya’. Besides this, rasgullas and snacks like gol gappe, dal kachori, kanji vada are also prepared on Holi.

Ways to Celebrate Holi

• Dol Purnima: In West Bengal and Odisha, Dol Purnima or Dol Jatra celebrated on full moon day before Holi. Idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are tarnished. People play with colored dust on streets and roads. And on Phagu Dashami, festivities begin six days earlier.
• Colors: People across the nation play with water colours during Holi with friends and family.
• Special Worship to Radha: Radha, the Hindu Goddess is worshipped on this day. People sing song on her praise.
• Bonfire: People make a pyre on the eve of Holi to celebrate good over evil. People prepare bhang and relax during the festival.

Destination Celebration

Being a prominent Hindu festival, sometimes, people prefer playing this festival in places such as Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana. All these places are closely associated with Lord Krishna and Radha. Here celebrayion takes place in a unique way such as folk dance, dances, singing, and flowers are poured in temples. These places are known for performing laath Maar holi too.

Holi 2025 Date

Holi 2025 date is March 14, Friday, 2025. We keep updating the dates. Please check this page for Holi 2025 dates.