About Holi
Holi is celebrated on the day after Holika Dahan, at the start of Chaitra Krishna Pratipada in the purnimanta calendar. Often called Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi, it is one of the most exuberant festivals in India, marking the full arrival of spring and the end of winter. People of all ages step out to smear one another with gulal and coloured water, setting aside differences in a spirit of play and forgiveness.
Holi is closely tied to the love of Radha and Krishna. According to popular tradition, young Krishna, worried about his dark complexion, playfully coloured Radha's face, and the custom spread through the villages of Braj. Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon and Barsana still celebrate over several days, including the famous Lathmar Holi. In West Bengal the day is Dol Jatra or Basanta Utsav, in Odisha it is Dola Purnima, and in Manipur it blends into Yaoshang. Homes fill with gujiya, malpua, dahi bhalla and chilled thandai as friends and relatives visit one another.
How it is observed
- Playing with gulal and colours with family, friends and neighbours
- Visiting relatives and exchanging greetings and sweets
- Preparing gujiya, malpua, dahi bhalla and thandai
- Joining community music, folk songs and dance
- Choosing natural, skin-friendly colours and respecting those who prefer not to play
Holi dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Monday, 25 March 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Friday, 14 March 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Wednesday, 4 March 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Monday, 22 March 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Saturday, 11 March 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Thursday, 1 March 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Wednesday, 20 March 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana (Braj)
Lathmar Holi
In the days before Holi, women of Barsana playfully strike the men of Nandgaon with sticks, and the temples of Vrindavan play Holi with flowers and colour.
West Bengal, Odisha
Dol Jatra, Basanta Utsav
Bengal and Odisha celebrate Dol on the full moon itself, often a day before colour Holi elsewhere. Santiniketan welcomes spring with songs and dances as Basanta Utsav.
Date: Sunday, 21 March 2027
Punjab
Hola Mohalla
The day after Holi, Sikhs gather at Anandpur Sahib for Hola Mohalla, with martial arts displays, horse riding and community langar.
Manipur
Yaoshang
Starting on the full moon, Manipur celebrates Yaoshang over several days with the Thabal Chongba folk dance, sports and colours.
Date: Sunday, 21 March 2027
Uttarakhand (Kumaon)
Kumaoni Holi
Kumaon is known for its musical Holi, where people sing classical Baithki Holi and folk Khadi Holi songs in gatherings for days.
Goa
Shigmo
Holi is part of Shigmo, with colourful parades, floats and traditional dances in towns and villages across Goa.
Celebrations vary widely, from Lathmar Holi in Barsana to Dol Jatra in Bengal and Shigmo in Goa.
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