Holi, the festival of colours, is one of the most joyful days in India. Streets fill with coloured powder, music and laughter, and strangers become friends for a day. Travelling during Holi lets you see how different regions celebrate, from the wild Lathmar Holi of Barsana to the royal celebrations of Udaipur and the gentle Basanta Utsav of Shantiniketan.
This guide covers the most affordable places to visit in India during Holi. You will find what makes each celebration special, costs, safety tips and planning advice.
When Is Holi?
Holi falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna, usually in March, and sometimes in late February. The night before is Holika Dahan, when bonfires are lit. In some places, like Mathura and Vrindavan, celebrations last a week or more. Check the exact date for your year before booking.
Quick Table: Affordable Places to Visit During Holi
| Place | Celebration style | Daily budget (Holi time) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathura and Vrindavan | Week-long, devotional and wild | ₹1,200–2,200 |
| Barsana and Nandgaon | Lathmar Holi | Day trip ₹800–1,500 |
| Pushkar | Backpacker street celebration | ₹1,200–2,000 |
| Udaipur | Royal Holika Dahan | ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Shantiniketan | Basanta Utsav, cultural | ₹1,200–2,000 |
| Anandpur Sahib | Hola Mohalla, Sikh martial arts | ₹800–1,500 |
| Varanasi | Ghats and old city | ₹1,200–2,000 |
| Hampi | Small, local celebration | ₹1,000–1,600 |
The Best Affordable Places to Visit During Holi
1. Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura and Vrindavan are the heart of Holi, as they are linked with Lord Krishna. Celebrations last for days during Holi. The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan hosts famous colour-filled Holi, and the phoolon wali Holi (flower Holi) is beautiful. Stay in ashrams or dharamshalas to keep costs low, and book early.
2. Barsana and Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh
Lathmar Holi is unique. Women from Barsana playfully hit men from Nandgaon with sticks, while the men shield themselves. The next day, the roles switch in Nandgaon. It is loud, crowded and unforgettable. Visit as a day trip from Mathura during Holi.
3. Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar’s Holi is lively and popular with backpackers. The main square becomes a sea of colour and music. Hostels host celebrations during Holi, and prices are moderate. Read Pushkar on a Budget: Affordable Places to Stay and Things to Do.
4. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur’s royal family hosts a grand Holika Dahan at the City Palace, with a procession and bonfire. The next day, streets fill with colour. Hostels are a budget-friendly choice during Holi. Read Udaipur on a Budget: Cheap Stays and Lakeside Attractions.
5. Shantiniketan, West Bengal
Shantiniketan celebrates Basanta Utsav, a spring festival started by Rabindranath Tagore. Students in yellow clothes sing and dance, and people play with gentle colours. It is one of the calmest and most cultural places to be during Holi. Read Best Budget Trips from Kolkata by Train.
6. Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
Hola Mohalla, held the day after Holi, features Sikh martial arts, horse riding, poetry and langar. It is a powerful cultural experience. Langar is free, and gurdwara sarais offer cheap rooms during Holi.
7. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Holi in Varanasi is energetic, with music on the ghats and colour in the lanes. Stay near Assi Ghat for a slightly calmer experience during Holi. Read Varanasi on a Budget: Affordable Hotels, Food and Sightseeing.
8. Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi’s Holi is small and local, with colour in the bazaar and around the temples. It is a gentler option for travellers who want to join in without huge crowds. Read Hampi on a Budget: Cheap Accommodation and Heritage Sightseeing.
9. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur celebrates with music, colour and street parties in the old city. Hostels often organise safe group celebrations during Holi. Read Jaipur on a Budget: How to Explore the Pink City for Less.
10. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh’s Holi is popular with travellers, with celebrations near the ghats and hostels. It is a good mix of fun and safety during Holi. Read Rishikesh on a Budget: Cheap Stays, Food and a 3-Day Itinerary.
Safety Tips for Travel During Holi
- Use natural, skin-safe colours and apply coconut oil to your skin and hair beforehand.
- Wear old clothes and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Keep phones and cash in waterproof pouches.
- Women should celebrate in groups or at organised hostel events, especially in crowded places.
- Avoid bhang if you are unsure of its effects; it can be very strong.
- Respect people who do not want to play.
Sample 4-Day Holi Trip: Braj
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Train from Delhi to Mathura. Krishna Janmabhoomi temple |
| 2 | Lathmar Holi in Barsana |
| 3 | Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Holi |
| 4 | Main Holi day and return |
Estimated cost: ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 per person.
Budget for Travel During Holi
| Expense | Cost per day |
|---|---|
| Hostel, ashram or guesthouse | ₹500–1,500 |
| Food and sweets | ₹300–600 |
| Local transport | ₹150–400 |
| Colours and extras | ₹100–300 |
| Total | ₹1,050–2,800 |
Food to Try During Holi
- Gujiya: sweet dumplings filled with khoya and nuts.
- Thandai: a cooling milk drink with nuts and spices (ask for it without bhang).
- Malpua: sweet pancakes.
- Dahi vada and chaat: popular festival snacks.
Money-Saving Tips for Travel During Holi
- Book early, as rooms fill up fast.
- Stay in ashrams, dharamshalas or hostels.
- Use trains for long distances.
- Buy colours from local shops, not tourist stalls.
- Choose smaller celebrations for lower prices.
For more ideas, read Budget Travel in India: Daily Costs for Food, Transport and Accommodation and Best Affordable Places to Visit in India in March.
What to Pack
- Old white or light clothes
- Sunglasses and a cap
- Coconut oil or moisturiser
- Waterproof pouches for phones
- A change of clothes and a towel
Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking late. Braj towns fill up quickly.
- Wearing contact lenses. Colour can hurt your eyes.
- Carrying valuables into crowds.
- Drinking unknown bhang drinks.
More Ideas for Travel During Holi
A Calm Holi in the South
South India celebrates Holi less widely than the north. Hampi, Gokarna and Pondicherry host small celebrations, mostly among travellers and in a few local neighbourhoods. If you want a gentle splash of colour without huge crowds, the south is a good choice during Holi.
Holi in the Hills
Rishikesh, McLeod Ganj and Kasol celebrate with hostel parties and local street fun. The cool spring weather makes it pleasant. These places are popular with backpackers during Holi.
Holi in Big Cities
Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai host many ticketed Holi events with music and organic colours. They can be costly, so look for free neighbourhood celebrations or hostel events instead.
Sample Budget for Two During Holi: Pushkar
A couple travelling from Delhi by overnight train to Ajmer spends about ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 on return 3AC tickets. A guesthouse room near the lake costs ₹1,200 to ₹2,000 a night during Holi. Food for two costs about ₹1,000 a day, and colours and small extras about ₹300. A three-night trip comes to roughly ₹8,500 to ₹13,000 for two, which is excellent value for one of the liveliest celebrations during Holi.
Holi Etiquette for Travellers
- Ask before applying colour to someone, especially elders and strangers who look unwilling.
- Use dry, natural colours rather than chemical or wet pastes.
- Avoid throwing water balloons at people who are not playing.
- Respect temple rules, which may limit colour inside shrines.
- Help clean up if you are celebrating at a hostel or guesthouse.
Following these simple rules keeps travel during Holi fun for everyone.
Planning Your Trip Around the Festival Calendar
The exact date of Holi changes every year because it follows the lunar calendar. In Braj, events like Lathmar Holi, phoolon wali Holi and Widow’s Holi in Vrindavan happen on different days in the week before the main festival. Check the local schedule a few weeks before travel. Many travellers plan a week in Braj during Holi to see several events, while others choose one main day and spend the rest of the trip in a calmer place like Agra or Jaipur.
Final Checklist for Travel During Holi
- Confirm the Holi date and local event schedule.
- Book rooms and trains at least four to six weeks ahead.
- Pack old clothes, sunglasses and waterproof pouches.
- Oil your skin and hair before playing.
- Celebrate in groups and stay in safe, busy areas.
Travel During Holi for Families
Families can enjoy the festival safely by choosing calmer settings. Shantiniketan’s Basanta Utsav, hostel-organised events in Rishikesh and Jaipur, and small neighbourhood celebrations in Hampi are good options with children. Use mild, natural colours, protect children’s eyes with sunglasses and keep them away from crowded streets in Mathura and Barsana. Plan to celebrate in the morning, when play is gentler, and spend the afternoon resting. With these precautions, travel during Holi can be one of the happiest family memories of the year.
Travel During Holi for Solo Travellers
Solo travellers, especially women, should join organised hostel celebrations or travel with people they meet at their hostel. Pushkar, Rishikesh, Jaipur and Varanasi have many hostels that run safe group events during Holi. Keep your phone and money in a waterproof pouch, stay in busy areas and return to your hostel before the evening when celebrations can get rowdier.
How to Remove Holi Colours Afterwards
Colours can stay on skin and hair for a day or two. Wash with plenty of water and a gentle soap or face wash first. Use coconut oil or curd to loosen stubborn colour from skin. Shampoo hair twice, then use conditioner. Avoid scrubbing hard, which can irritate the skin. Many hostels have laundry services, but some colours may not come out of clothes, which is why old clothes are a must.
Combining Holi with a Wider Trip
Many travellers combine the festival with a short tour. From Mathura, it is easy to add Agra’s Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. From Pushkar, add Ajmer and Jaipur. From Shantiniketan, add Kolkata or the terracotta temples of Bishnupur. Linking Holi with nearby sights makes the most of your travel costs and gives you calmer days before and after the colourful chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel During Holi
Where is the best place to celebrate Holi in India?
Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon are the most famous.
Is it safe for women to travel during Holi?
It can be, if you celebrate in groups, at organised events and in well-known areas.
Where is the calmest place to celebrate Holi?
Shantiniketan’s Basanta Utsav and Hampi’s small celebrations are calmer.
How long do Holi celebrations last?
The main day is one day, but Braj celebrates for a week or more.
What should I wear during Holi?
Old, comfortable clothes and sunglasses.
Final Thoughts
Travelling during Holi is one of the most colourful experiences in India. Choose a celebration that matches your style, book early and play safely. For more festival and seasonal ideas, read Best Affordable Places to Visit in India in March and Best Affordable Places to Visit in India During the Diwali Holidays.