Holidays and observances in India

Holi is perhaps the largest and best-known festival in India, and is celebrated the day after the full moon night in the Indian month of Phalguna (sometime around March) and symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

The origins of the holiday include several versions and stories from Indian mythology, but by and large they all involve the god Vishnu saving one of his devoted worshippers from the death penalty of being burned in flames, and therefore the evening before the holiday it is customary to light bonfires. On the day of the holiday itself, locals go to pray in temples and take the statues of the gods outside, singing and praising them.

But the biggest and most well-known custom of Holi, which makes it a huge and colorful festival that attracts many tourists, is the massive street parties with trance music, filled with colored powders and splashes of water everywhere. It is a happy and crazy atmosphere, and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed, but it is also very important to be aware of the less good sides of the hustle and bustle and not to be complacent.

So what should you consider?
– During the holiday, it is customary to wear white clothes that are dyed in all the colors of the rainbow, which you can easily find in all stores in preparation for the holiday. 

– On Holi itself, most stores will probably be closed. It is recommended to buy everything you think you will need in advance.

– It is best to go out to the Holi celebrations with as little equipment as possible. It is generally better to leave cell phones and wallets in the rooms, and if you have them on you, it is recommended to wrap them well against water and paint and protect them well against theft. 

– Safety during Holi: In recent years, an agenda of "I don't care, it's Holi" has become widespread among Indian men. They drink more than usual, get more intoxicated than usual and indulge themselves more than ever. Be careful! Especially the women, but also the men. Girls are advised not to walk around alone. Be vigilant for yourself and your friends, do not take food and drinks from strangers. If someone nevertheless comes up to you and bothers you, do not be afraid to make a mess, to be embarrassed, to be aggressive and to contact the right person - friends or police (who will be around a lot during Holi celebrations).

– You should wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

– If you rub yourself with coconut oil before the festivities, it will be easier to remove the colors later.

– When choosing where you want to celebrate Holi, it is recommended to book in advance or arrive a few days before to secure your spot and not leave it until the last minute when all the rooms are usually full.

Where should you celebrate Holi?

Holi celebrations will be celebrated throughout India in many destinations, but there are especially recommended places where the celebrations are bigger and happier.

– Pushkar: You can't talk about Holi without talking about Pushkar, and vice versa. This is the place where the celebrations are undoubtedly the happiest, they are simply one huge party that starts early in the afternoon and ends in the evening. Hundreds of people participate in the celebrations in Pushkar, and among them there are always a lot of Israelis. Rooms are booked during Holi in Pushkar and it is recommended that you take care of a room in advance. The celebrations in Pushkar are one huge trance party on the street, they are intense and it is worth knowing this. If you are looking for more relaxed celebrations, Pushkar is not the place, and you can go to other places.

– Jaipur andUdaipur: They are also cities in Rajasthan where Holi celebrations are massive and joyful

– Rishikesh: Rishikesh is another favorite destination for tourists for Holi celebrations. It is a holy place in India and the celebrations there are very happy, colorful and festive, but more relaxed than Pushkar and it is considered a relatively calm place for girls.

– Varanasi: If you are looking to experience the most authentic and "hardcore" Holi celebrations, then Varanasi is the place for you. In the holiest city in India, you can watch an authentic local population and strict religious people enjoying the celebrations of color and water, praying in the streets and temples. Varanasi is not a place for everyone, alongside the celebrations and the color, you will encounter poverty and a lot of dirt, with an authenticity that can be brought to the market, but you will also have fascinating encounters with people from all over the Indian tradition, and you will get a glimpse into the culture and origins of this fascinating history.

– Barsana: Barsana is a city located in the state of Uttar Pradesh (the state where Varanasi is located) and is known for being the birthplace of Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna (who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu from the origins of the holiday). In this city, Holi celebrations are joyful and unique, and a common custom there is for women to playfully beat things.

– Goa: Holi celebrations happen at the end of the season in Goa, when there are fewer people, but Goa is always happy. Also, because Goa has a predominantly Christian population, the celebrations focus mainly on going out into the streets, dancing and throwing colors, or in short, having fun 🙂

–  Hampi: Holi celebrations in Hampi are a joyous procession with colors, music and musical instruments

– Main Bazaar, Delhi: The Main Bazaar in Delhi is colorful, noisy, and joyful by nature, and even more so during the Holi celebrations.

The holiday of Diwali, literally meaning "avenue of light", is celebrated on the first full moon day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar, which falls around October-November, to mark the overcoming of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil.

According to Indian mythology, Sita, the wife of the god and king Rama, was kidnapped by Ravana, the king of demons, so Rama enlisted his faithful servant Hanuman (the monkey-headed warrior god) and his powerful color to rescue Sita from Ravana's kingdom in Lanka (now Sri Lanka). All of Rama's devoted followers marked his path with lanterns and lights so he would know how to get home. This led to the five-day Diwali celebrations, in which the streets and businesses are decorated with lights, countless fireworks are lit and exploded throughout the night, and lanterns are lit to decorate the sky.

Literal translation – “The Great Night of Shiva.” This night summons the energy of Lord Shiva, which leads to growth and renewal, and is celebrated around February – March, close to Holi.

The holiday is celebrated to praise Shiva for saving the universe by drinking a poison that came out of the sea and threatened to destroy the entire universe. Shiva is the only one who could drink it and save the world thanks to his yogic qualities. According to legend, after drinking the poison, Shiva's throat turned blue and has remained blue ever since.

Shiva is the most beloved god among the gods in India and is attributed with many qualities and powers. He is the symbol of renewal and cycles in nature and in his son, he is the "destroyer" god who removes the old, the negative energies and everything that has passed its time, making room for good energies, renewal and growth.

Holiday customs – early in the morning, believers rise to visit the temples of Shiva and perform traditional rituals around the Shivalingam (a statue of a sacred organ of Shiva found in temples), praying, singing and dancing, preferably at a holy water source, preferably the Ganges River (which is why holiday celebrations are especially large in places located on the Ganges, for example). Varanasi andRishikesh).

India's Independence Day is celebrated every year on August 15th since India gained its independence on this date in 1947 from British rule. It is a particularly joyous day throughout India, the Prime Minister gives a speech reviewing the achievements of the Indian nation throughout the past year, the streets are painted in the colors of the flag, kites fly in the air symbolizing freedom and independence, and celebrations abound. Party destinations – Parvati Valley And Goa, Dharamshala, Rishikesh, PushkarThere will probably be big parties to mark the occasion.