होली
Holi
Holi, the day after Holika Dahan, is the spring festival of colours, joy and forgiveness, celebrated with colour, music and shared sweets.
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| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | Holi (Rangwali Holi) |
| Monday, March 22, 2027 | Holi (Rangwali Holi) |
| Saturday, March 11, 2028 | Holi (Rangwali Holi) |
About
Holi is the festival of colours, held on the day after Holika Dahan. It falls on the day after Phalguna Purnima, which is Chaitra Krishna Pratipada in the Purnimanta calendar. Its date follows the Moon and moves each year, so check the computed date for your city.
The festival welcomes spring, celebrates the end of winter, and is a day to meet friends, forgive old quarrels and play with colour. In many regions the colours come out on the morning after the bonfire, which is why it is also called Dhulandi (the day of dust or colour).
Significance and stories
Holi is tied to the story told at Holika Dahan, in which Prahlad's faith in Vishnu protected him from Holika's fire. Holi is the joyful day that follows the victory of good over arrogance.
In the Braj region, Holi is also linked to Krishna and Radha. A well-loved story tells how the young Krishna, worried that Radha's skin was fairer than his own, was told by his mother Yashoda to colour her face as he pleased. This is the playful origin of colour play. Barsana, Nandgaon and Vrindavan are known for Lathmar Holi and Phoolon ki Holi.
In Bengal and Odisha the festival is Dol Jatra, with swings for Radha and Krishna. In some traditions Holi also remembers the story of Shiva and Kamadeva.
How to observe (puja vidhi)
- On the previous evening, take part in Holika Dahan, or offer a simple prayer for protection.
- On the morning of Holi, bathe, wear old or white clothing that can take colour, and pray to Krishna, Vishnu or your family deity.
- Offer a little gulal (powdered colour) at the feet of the deity first, and seek blessings.
- Apply a gentle tilak of colour on the forehead of elders and touch their feet.
- Apply colour to family and friends, with their permission, and exchange greetings of "Holi hai" or "Happy Holi".
- Share gujiya, malpua, dahi bhalla and thandai. Eat together.
- In the evening, bathe, change into clean clothes and visit friends and elders.
Puja items (samagri)
- Gulal (powdered colour) in several shades, preferably natural or herbal
- Flowers, tulsi, a diya and incense for the deity
- Water in a lota, sweets for offering
- Gujiya, malpua, puran poli or other festive sweets
- Water pichkari (water guns) and old clothes for play
- Thandai ingredients: milk, almonds, fennel, cardamom
Fasting and food
Holi has no fast. It is a feast day. Typical foods are gujiya (a sweet pastry filled with khoya), malpua, dahi bhalla, kanji, puran poli, mathri and thandai. Thandai is sometimes made with bhang in North India. Bhang is an intoxicant and not part of the festival for everyone. It is best avoided, and illegal in many places in the USA.
Regional customs
- Braj region: Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon, Phoolon ki Holi in Vrindavan, and celebrations that begin many days before.
- Punjab: Hola Mohalla, associated with Sikh martial displays, is held around the same time at Anandpur Sahib.
- West Bengal and Odisha: Dol Jatra or Basanta Utsav, with white clothes and abir (red powder), and swings for the deities. Shantiniketan holds a famous spring festival.
- Maharashtra and Gujarat: Rang Panchami, played a few days later in some places, and Shimga.
- Caribbean and Guyana Indian communities: Phagwah, celebrated with songs called chowtal.
Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.
Celebrating in the USA
Holi in the USA is often held outdoors on the nearest weekend, since it may fall on a school or work day. In cold climates, the festival may be held in a gymnasium or temple hall, or moved to a warmer time. Choose a place where colour is allowed and ask the host before using it. Many parks and venues ban or limit colour, and some require clean-up or insurance.
Buy herbal or food-grade gulal from Indian stores and avoid cheap dyes that can irritate skin and stain. Take photos with consent, and make children, elders and guests with allergies, asthma or sensitive skin feel welcome to join in at their own pace. Put down tarps in a yard, and wash colour out of clothes in cold water. If you play at school, college or work, keep it friendly and optional.
Safety and consent are as important as joy. A good Holi is one where everyone leaves happy.
Do
- Ask before you put colour on someone, and respect "no".
- Use natural, skin-safe, food-grade or herbal colours.
- Apply oil or moisturiser to skin and hair before play, and wear sunglasses to protect eyes.
- Wear old clothes, and cover your mouth and nose when colour is thrown.
- Drink plenty of water and keep elders and small children comfortable.
- Keep colour away from pets, and from eyes, ears and mouth.
- Greet and forgive. Use Holi as an opportunity to end an old quarrel.
- Clean up afterward so that colours do not stain driveways or neighbours' property.
Don't
- Do not throw colour at people who do not want it, at strangers, or at passers-by.
- Do not use chemical dyes, oil paint, engine oil, glitter or mud.
- Do not throw water balloons or hard objects, or use anything that could hurt someone.
- Do not drink and drive or mix play with alcohol or drugs.
- Do not force anyone to take bhang or alcohol.
- Do not tease, grope or humiliate anyone under the cover of festival play.
- Do not stain public property, cars or other people's homes.
Related
Customs differ between families, regions and traditions. This page describes common practice; follow your family’s tradition and your priest’s guidance.