20 Photos That Show How Different Parts Of India Celebrate Holi

Danny Kurian

“O rang barse, bheege, chunar waali rang barse.”

This song turns into an anthem during Holi in North India. From every nook and corner, all you hear is Big B crooning to this chartbuster all day long. Gubbaras and gulaal fly thick and fast. It’s the only day when you can get away with any form of chutiyaapa by saying, “bura na maano, Holi hai”. Our teachers have always taught us that this festival doesn’t discriminate between people, and rightly so. Here are 20 photos that show how people from all walks of life in different parts of India celebrate Holi.

1. Barsana, Uttar Pradesh

It doesn’t get more exciting for the women of Barsana. Why? Because they get to  beat the shit out of the men.

Source: Fiveprime

2. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Mathura offers the best photo ops during Holi. This one is a photographer’s delight.

Source: Flickr

3. Udaipur, Rajasthan

True to its quintessence, Udaipur likes to keep it royal. Where else would you get to celebrate Holi with a royal family?

Source: Audio Compass

4. Nasik, Maharashtra

Soaked in euphoria and gulaal ka paani , Holi in this city promises to be a colour riot.

Source: Photoburst

5. Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

The land of Big B. ‘Rang barse’ blares from speakers on loop all day long.

Source: Photo SF

6. New Delhi, Delhi

Delhites don’t necessarily need gulaal to play Holi. They can make do with anything… eggs, grease, paint, anything that’s sticky.

Source: Departure Arts

7. Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Who said South Indians don’t play Holi?

Source: Photo SF

8. Jaipur, Rajasthan

Probably the only place in India where there’s something that’s more colourful than the people during Holi. All thanks to the Jaipur Elephant Festival.

Source: Holidify

9. Kolkata, West Bengal

This City of Joy just needs a reason to erupt in joy. And how!

Source: Fiveprime

10. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Holi always begins with a high (bhang) almost everywhere in India, but it ends in one, only in Hyderabad. Courtesy, the Hyderabadi dum biryani! Pure heaven!

Source: Photo SF

11. Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

Holi for the holy city of Anandpur Sahib is more than just colours. It’s about a show of physical strength through daring acts like mock-battles, sword-fighting displays and exercising on speeding horses. And nobody does it better than the Nihang Sikhs.

Source: Flickr

12. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

The widows of Vrindavan lose all inhibitions and groove as if no one’s watching.

Source: India Today

13. Siliguri, West Bengal

The only other time, apart from Durga Puja, when the city  is immersed in a splash of colour.

Source: Popsugar

14. Shantiniketan, West Bengal

Started by Rabindranth Tagore, the celebration at Shantiniketan University, every year, draws hordes of people from across the state to witness the festivities. Song and dance is followed by coloured-powder smearing.

Source: Sayon Kumar Saha

15. Goa

Holi (read Shigmotsav ) in Goa is marked with colourful p rocessions, traditional folk dances and modern floats.

Source: Goa-tourism

16. Guwahati, Assam

Did anyone assume that Holi is not celebrated in the North East? Well, they’re so wrong.

Source: Photo SF

17. Bengaluru, Karnataka

All work and no play makes Bengaluru a dull place. These IT professionals know how to have some fun.

Source: Flickr

18. Imphal, Manipur

Yes, people from the North East also celebrate Holi. No wonder we say that this festival transcends the length and breadth of the country.

Source: Flickr

19. Indore, Madhya Pradesh

If all the nooks and corner of the country are playing Holi, how can the state that’s bang in the centre be left out?

Source: Indore HD

20. Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

In a war-torn state, it is festivals like Holi that bring some relief and joy to the people.

Source: Makeup And Beauty

And you thought Holi was just about gulaal, gubbara and gujiya.

You might also like
10 Ways to Celebrate A Noiseless, Pollution-Free & Eco-Friendly Diwali
The Changing Face Of Kolkata: What We Lose When We Lose Trams
40+ Best Indian Patriotic Movies You Must Watch This Independence Day
15 Unique & Quirky Gifts You Can Give Your Besties This Friendship Day
12 Unconventional Ways To Beat Alcohol Odor
Significance of Holi: Exploring the Mythological Importance of India’s Colorful Festival