Holi, also known as the “festival of colors,” is one of the most vibrant and joyous festivals in India, which is about to come in 2025.It is a traditional Hindu festival that occurs in spring in India and is also celebrated across the world. Holi signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is a series of celebrations that lasts for two days; one day before Holi, it is celebrated as “Holika Dahan,” which is also known as “Choti Holi.”
In some places in India, such as Rajasthan, Haryana, and nearby areas, Holi, also known as Dhuli or Dhulandi, is another name for the festival. Holi is not just about playing with colors; it is also about community bonding, festive feasts, and age-old traditions that bring people together.
Holi festival 2025 is just around the corner. Let's learn about the history of the Holi festival and about Holika Dahan that can make this festival even more special.
In some places in India, such as Rajasthan, Haryana, and nearby areas, Holi, also known as Dhuli or Dhulandi, is another name for the festival. Holi is not just about playing with colors; it is also about community bonding, festive feasts, and age-old traditions that bring people together.
Holi festival 2025 is just around the corner. Let's learn about the history of the Holi festival and about Holika Dahan that can make this festival even more special.
Holi Festival 2025 Date
Holi 2025 will be celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Phalguna. In 2025, the festival is coming on 14th March, which is a Friday. Although the Holi Festival India celebration starts a day before with Holika Dahan, sometimes it is referred to as “Chhoti Holi”. On the Holika Dahan evening, people take part in ceremonial bonfires as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil, offering prayers and burning away negativity.
Timings for Holi 2025:
Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi) – March 13, 2025 (Auspicious Timing 11:26 PM to 12:30 AM )
Holi (Dhulandi) – March 14, 2025 (Full Day)
Why is Holi Celebrated & Holi Festival History?
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival with unique rituals and immense cultural importance. You will find stories related to Holi in several old scriptures. The Holi Festival History dates back to ancient India and has strong roots in Hindu mythology. To know the reason behind the celebration of Holi, we need to go through the two popular legends with this festival are following below:
The Story of Holika Dahan
The Holi festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, as narrated in the Holika Dahan Story. According to Hindu mythology, an arrogant demon king, Hiranyakashipu, wanted to be worshipped as a god. He pleased Lord Brahma with his penance and earned a boon that no human or animal could ever kill him, neither during the day nor at night, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither on land nor in water nor in the air, and neither by any weapon nor divine tool.
When he gained his power, he became arrogant and demanded that everyone worship him as a god. His son, Prahlad, wanted to be like him, but he devoted himself to Lord Vishnu and chanted “Hari Narayan” with every breath. This made his father angry. The furious King Hiranyakashipu ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad.
Holika, wearing a cloak that made her immune to fire, tried to deceive Prahlad, who had no protection and was sitting on a pyre with her. Due to Prahlad's unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu, the cloak flew off and shielded him instead, while Holika was burned to ashes.
If you are unaware of what happened next with Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu became even more furious with him after his sister's death. Lord Vishnu took his fourth avatar as Narasimha and attacked the evil king at sunset. He placed the king on his lap and killed him by disemboweling him with his sharp lion claws. The event involving Holika and Prahlad came to be celebrated as Holika Dahan, a festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. You can explore Narasimha idols or statues at Cottage9, where you can get aesthetic and authentic statues that bring more leisure to your life.
When he gained his power, he became arrogant and demanded that everyone worship him as a god. His son, Prahlad, wanted to be like him, but he devoted himself to Lord Vishnu and chanted “Hari Narayan” with every breath. This made his father angry. The furious King Hiranyakashipu ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad.
Holika, wearing a cloak that made her immune to fire, tried to deceive Prahlad, who had no protection and was sitting on a pyre with her. Due to Prahlad's unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu, the cloak flew off and shielded him instead, while Holika was burned to ashes.
If you are unaware of what happened next with Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu became even more furious with him after his sister's death. Lord Vishnu took his fourth avatar as Narasimha and attacked the evil king at sunset. He placed the king on his lap and killed him by disemboweling him with his sharp lion claws. The event involving Holika and Prahlad came to be celebrated as Holika Dahan, a festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. You can explore Narasimha idols or statues at Cottage9, where you can get aesthetic and authentic statues that bring more leisure to your life.
Story of Lord Krishna and Shree Radha
Another popular story linked with Holi is about Lord Krishna and Radha. Everyone knows that Holi is a playful love story about Krishna and Radha.
According to our legends, Lord Krishna, who was well-known for his naughty nature, was worried because he had a dark complexion and Radha had fair skin. He told his mother that Radha wouldn’t accept him. In response, his mother suggested that he color Radha’s face to match his own. This playful act of coloring Radha’s face eventually became the tradition of playing with color and water. As you are aware, Holi is approaching, and if you're considering bringing a Krishna and Radha statue into your home for this celebration, Cottage9 offers a variety of options online. People play Holi and apply color to their loved ones, which symbolizes love, friendship, and the arrival of spring.
According to our legends, Lord Krishna, who was well-known for his naughty nature, was worried because he had a dark complexion and Radha had fair skin. He told his mother that Radha wouldn’t accept him. In response, his mother suggested that he color Radha’s face to match his own. This playful act of coloring Radha’s face eventually became the tradition of playing with color and water. As you are aware, Holi is approaching, and if you're considering bringing a Krishna and Radha statue into your home for this celebration, Cottage9 offers a variety of options online. People play Holi and apply color to their loved ones, which symbolizes love, friendship, and the arrival of spring.
What are the Rituals of Holika Dahan 2025?
Holika Dahan ritual is performed during Pradosh Kaal (post-sunset) before the day of holi. Here are the steps to follow while performing the ritual:
- People collect some wood, cow dung cakes, and dry leaves and keep them in one place to create a pyre (which looks like a bonfire).
- After sunset, light the fire during the auspicious time for Holika Dahan. It is preferable to perform it with organized ritual.
- Elders or community members come together to perform the parikrama around the bonfire and seek blessings. During the parikrama, people offer food grains, coconut, and sugarcane to the bonfire.
- The next morning, take some ashes from the bonfire and apply them as a tilak on your forehead to heal yourself and purify properties.
What are the Traditional Rituals of Holi?
Holi is not just about colors, there is a lot of rituals involves that bring different community together are following below:
- Holika Dahan: The bonfire is lit on the eve of Holi, symbolizing the burning of evil forces.
- Playing with Colors: On the main day of Holi, people smear each other with dry and wet colors and enjoy water fights.
- Community Feasts and Sweets: Families and friends exchange sweets and special dishes like Gujiya, Thandai, Puran Poli, Malpua, Dahi Vada and many more.
- Music and Dance: Holi celebrations are incomplete without folk songs, dhol beats, and energetic dances. On this day, many societies organize functions and do celebrations as well.
- Visiting Loved Ones: It is a time to forgive and renew relationships by meeting loved ones and exchanging greetings of Happy Holi Festival wishes.
How People Celebrate Holi in Different Regions of India?
Barsana (The Divine Holi): Holi is celebrated in Vrindavan, Mathura Barsana, Uttar Pradesh with a unique tradition called Lathmar Holi. On this day, women playfully hit men with sticks and try to protect themselves.
Rajasthan (Royal Holi): In Rajasthan, Holi is celebrated with grandeur, especially in Jaipur and Udaipur, where royal families participate in traditional processions and festivities.
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh (Phoolon Ki Holi): In Vrindavan, Instead of colors, people throw flowers at each other and celebrate holi.
Manjal Kuli (Kerala): Manjal Kuli is a unique way of celebrating Holi in Kerala, India. On this day, folks celebrate Holi with turmeric and water instead of colored powders. This celebration is observed in the coastal town of Guruvayur.
West Bengal (Basant Utsav): Basanta Utsav is a spring festival celebrated in Santiniketan, West Bengal. It's a vibrant celebration that features music, dance, poetry, and colors. The festival is inspired by the ancient Indian festival of Holi.
Punjab (Hola Mohalla): In Punjab, the Sikh community celebrates Hola Mohalla during Holi. This holi festival showcases martial arts, mock battles, and traditional folk music.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Worship of Kamadeva): In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, people offer prayers to Kamadeva, the god of love, with colorful processions and music. Dry cow dung cakes, sticks, and grass are burned symbolically, and the ashes are regarded as sacred.
Rajasthan (Royal Holi): In Rajasthan, Holi is celebrated with grandeur, especially in Jaipur and Udaipur, where royal families participate in traditional processions and festivities.
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh (Phoolon Ki Holi): In Vrindavan, Instead of colors, people throw flowers at each other and celebrate holi.
Manjal Kuli (Kerala): Manjal Kuli is a unique way of celebrating Holi in Kerala, India. On this day, folks celebrate Holi with turmeric and water instead of colored powders. This celebration is observed in the coastal town of Guruvayur.
West Bengal (Basant Utsav): Basanta Utsav is a spring festival celebrated in Santiniketan, West Bengal. It's a vibrant celebration that features music, dance, poetry, and colors. The festival is inspired by the ancient Indian festival of Holi.
Punjab (Hola Mohalla): In Punjab, the Sikh community celebrates Hola Mohalla during Holi. This holi festival showcases martial arts, mock battles, and traditional folk music.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Worship of Kamadeva): In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, people offer prayers to Kamadeva, the god of love, with colorful processions and music. Dry cow dung cakes, sticks, and grass are burned symbolically, and the ashes are regarded as sacred.
Most Popular Holi Foods
Holi is incomplete without delicious food. In different states, people celebrate Holi in their own unique ways and enjoy the festival with great enthusiasm. Here are some special dishes that people love to indulge in during Holi:
- Gujiya: A sweet, deep-fried dumpling filled with khoya and dry fruits.
- Thandai: A cold, refreshing milk-based drink with spices and nuts.
- Puran Poli: A sweet flatbread stuffed with jaggery and lentils.
- Dahi Vada: Fried lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt and topped with spices.
- Malpua: A deep-fried sweet pancake soaked in sugar syrup.
- Pakoras: Deep-fried fritters made with vegetables or paneer.
What are Safety Tips for a Joyful Holi Festival 2025?
While Holi is a festival of joy, celebrating responsibly is essential. Use natural colors, protect your skin and eyes, stay hydrated, respect others' consent, and be mindful of the environment. Here are some safety tips:
- Apply coconut oil or mustard oil on your skin and hair before playing Holi.
- Try to use organic colors instead of chemical-based ones.
- You should wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from colors.
- Wear old, full-sleeved clothes to protect your skin.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. And avoid drinking excessive bhang.
- Always ask before applying colors to someone and respect their decisions.
- Don’t try to color street animals and your pets.
What are Best Places to Celebrate Holi Festival 2025?
Many people plan their trips with friends and family to celebrate Holi. If you want to travel and experience Holi in its most vibrant form, here are the best destinations:
- Mathura, Barsana and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
- Jaipur, Pushkar & Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
- Shantiniketan, West Bengal
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Hampi, Karnataka
- Manipur
- Goa
- Gujarat
Final Thoughts
Holi holds immense significance in India's culture and is deeply connected to our cultural roots. In today's world, festivals like Holi unite people from different religions and backgrounds through joyful celebrations. Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm all around the globe, and thanks to the vibrant Indian community, they never forget their roots and traditions. The festival promotes joy, love, peace, and prosperity in the most colorful way possible. So, if you plan to paint your white dress and face with gulal this year, get ready for the Holi 2025 celebrations.
