Holi 2027

About Holi

The colours of Holi are most closely tied to Krishna and Radha in Braj. A well-loved story tells of young Krishna, dark-skinned, asking his mother Yashoda why Radha was so fair. Yashoda laughed and told him to colour Radha's face in whatever shade he liked, and so began the game of colours that Braj still plays. Holi also arrives as winter ends and the rabi crop ripens, so it carries the joy of spring and of a good harvest. The bonfire of Holika Dahan is lit the night before; this day, called Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi, belongs to the colours.

Holi is played across North and Central India and well beyond. Braj celebrates for days: in Barsana, Radha's village, and Nandgaon, Krishna's village, women play Lathmar Holi, playfully striking the men of the other village with sticks while the men shield themselves. Temples in Mathura and Vrindavan hold Holi with flower petals. In Bengal and Odisha the spring festival of colours is kept as Dol Jatra, with its own day and customs, when Radha and Krishna are carried on a decorated swing.

The morning starts with dry gulal and water colours, pichkaris and buckets, and people go from house to house to greet friends and relatives. Many touch the feet of elders and put a little gulal on their forehead. Homes prepare gujiya filled with khoya and dry fruit, malpua, dahi bhalle, namak pare and cool thandai. By afternoon the colours are washed off, and the evening is kept for visiting in fresh clothes, with more sweets. Many families now prefer gentle, plant-based colours, and it is a kindness to play only with those who wish to join.

A practical note: Holi is played on the morning after Holika Dahan, the day after Phalguna Purnima. When Purnima stretches across two days, the bonfire night decides the date and the colours follow the next morning. The date shown above follows the calendar for your city.