Holi

Significance

The festival of colours — a day when hierarchies dissolve in a riot of colour, water, music, and sweets, celebrating spring and the play of Krishna and Radha.

The story behind Holi

The mischievous young Krishna, self-conscious about his dark skin beside the fair Radha, was told by his mother Yashoda to simply colour Radha's face any shade he liked. That playful gesture became the colour-play of Holi, where everyone — friend and stranger — is smeared in the same bright dust and, for a day, all are equal.

How Holi is observed

• Playing with dry gulal and coloured water, drums and dancing in the streets.
• Sharing sweets like gujiya and the drink thandai.
• Visiting friends and elders to smear colour and mend rifts.
• In Braj (Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana), days of Krishna-themed celebration.

Puja Vidhi & Prayers

Watch the step-by-step puja vidhi, aarti, and prayers for Holi.

Holi dates (2015–2035)

Dates are computed from precise sidereal (Lahiri) astronomy for a New Delhi reference and may vary by ±1 day for some evening/midnight festivals depending on your location and regional tradition — the timings above adjust to where you are.