Everything you need to know about Holi to celebrate safely, from the meaning of Holi to expectations vs reality. Get ready to experience Holi the right way!
When I found out that I was going to India I realized I could make it for Holi! It was a quick decision and I decided to extend my trip! I celebrated Holi in Mumbai, more specifically in Colaba area, which is the old part of Mumbai. It was obviously my first time! Here’s a quick guide to help you understand Holi and how to plan for it. I thought I was super ready for Holi, taking everything with a grain of salt. I was prepared for the worst, but I was also minimizing a lot of things. In this article, you’ll also find my expectations vs reality and how to make sure you stay safe as well as physically ready!
Why is Holi celebrated in India | The meaning of Holi
Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated in February or March to welcome the spring. It’s also known as the festival of colors that celebrates love and friendship. It’s the perfect festival to laugh, play and have some fun!
Depending on where you will be staying in India some places will celebrate for days while some other places will be a bit quieter! It is the most popular in the north of India, and it’s where you’ll want to go for things to get wild! On the first day, people will likely start to play Holi around bonfires but most Holi parties are organized the next morning. In 2018 Holi was celebrated on March 1st and 2nd but all Holi parties were on March 2nd starting at approximately 9-10AM.
What day is Holi in India?
Photo by The Sassy Pilgrim
Celebrating the end of the winter and the arrival of Spring, Holi takes place on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. This means that every year Holi is on a different day.
In 2019, Holi will start on March 20th and end on March 21st, which means that most parties will take place on March 21st in the morning.
Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India
As mentioned previously, Holi is mostly celebrated in the north of India but it still is possible to celebrate Holi in the south. Of course, it won’t be as wild or as crazy as in the north, but you should be able to have a lot of fun anyway!
The best places to celebrate Holi in India are Mathura and Vrindavan, which are only a few hours away from Delhi. If you want to experience the wildest version of Holi this is probably where you want to be! (Personally, I’d love to experience this, so I’m thinking of heading that way next time!)
Some other great options would probably be Delhi, Jaipur, Barsana and Udaipur. If you’re traveling in the south then good alternatives would be Hampi or Mumbai.
What it’s like to celebrate Holi in Mumbai
Photo by Journey Wonders
Mumbai Holi parties aren’t as wild as other parties can be elsewhere in the country, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t fun! In fact, I had a lot of fun celebrating Holi in Mumbai. Most locals I met when I was in India recommended to go to private parties which you can easily find everywhere on the web. Basically, you can expect to pay between INR 400-800 for a ticket and it will include music, food and colors.
But if you aren’t keen on spending money and simply want to enjoy Holi in public you could always meet up with friends and play Holi in the streets. Some hostels or hotels are organizing Holi parties, so you might want to consider that when booking your accommodation.
Personally, we met up with friends who were staying at Backpacker Panda Colaba as the hostel was organizing a private party including drinks and organic colors (for free!). We played in their private backyard and then we went to the Gateway of India and to the Colaba market for more fun!
The best moment was definitely at the market playing with locals as well as kids in the streets.
Expectations vs Reality | Playing Holi for First-Timers
Photo by Journey Wonders
I had no idea what to expect for Holi! To be prepared for it I did a lot of research including reading what Holi is like for women, where to go and more importantly how to stay safe. I was definitely ready for the worst but hoping for the best! After speaking with a few locals and reading these awesome tips by my friend Sonal, I thought I was ready.
I knew it wouldn’t be that crazy in Mumbai and that most people might not even throw colors at each other on the streets, but I was keen to give it a try!
Here’s what I was expecting vs what really happened.
They said: Cover your hair and body with oil.
I thought: Yeah, it can’t be that bad in Mumbai. I didn’t buy any baby oil as recommended until a local gave me the bottle and said: yeah, girl, put this everywhere! I’m really glad I did and I even wished I had put more!
They said: You might get groped/robbed.
I thought: I’m not going to bring anything valuable with me, which was surely safer this way! I thought I’d get groped and I was already at peace with it. I was mentally prepared for it and I was pretty rational about it. My second thought was “if it doesn’t happen, I’ll be super grateful at the end of the day”. Guess what – it didn’t happen, but to be fair, I avoided crowds and I was 100% conscious of what was happening. I didn’t take any alcohol/drug/bhang (which is an edible version of cannabis that is pretty popular on Holi).
You should note that you might not be as lucky as I was. Make sure to play Holi with a group and stay close to your friend.
They said: People will get high.
I thought: Maybe this is more likely to happen at the Holi parties?! You should note that people will be walking on the streets at some point, and yes, some of them will be high, which can make it more risky for you.
They said: You’ll trash all your clothes afterward.
I thought: Yes, I might manage to save my underwear or my pants. I ended up trashing everything!
If you’re like me and you have no idea what is going to happen, let me give you a few Holi color tips. The colors are sold in little bags on the streets. They aren’t necessarily eco-friendly (to be sure, you should probably buy them in shops instead of in a market). In the streets, you can find colors for little money (INR 10, 20 or 50 depending on the size of the bag). I personally bought 3 colors but as I joined a party that was providing colors, one or two bags would have been enough. The colors are in powder form, which you can mix with water or simply put on people’s face. You can apply the color directly, blow it, throw it, there are no rules!
In some northern areas don’t be surprised to see water balloons or eggs, I told you things could get more wild up there!
What to wear for Holi India, what to bring & how to protect your stuff
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What to wear for Holi
People seem to prefer white clothes (it’s better for photos!), but ladies, you should also know that people will be ready to play with water guns as well as water balloons. Are you that keen on providing a free show?! I opted for a light-colored shirt and this was fine by me!
Other than that, you should:
- Have something to cover your hair (this is mostly for the ladies): a scarf will do the job, that’s what I did, and I didn’t cover the whole thing, but as a result, I got a free makeover – one side of my hair is pink-ish!
- Wear sunglasses to cover your eyes – this is a MUST! Especially, since colors can be thrown at you and you won’t always be fast enough to close your eyes… or your mouth! (Yes, you could always wear a scarf to cover your mouth too! Personally, I didn’t and as a result, my teeth and my tongue were purple for the day!)
- Wear old shoes. I didn’t trash mine, but they are now a bit more colorful!
- Cover your hair and your skin with baby oil to help you remove the colors easily.
What to bring for Holi
You don’t need to bring a lot of things. You’ll need your colors (you might want to try to get some organic ones so they are easier to remove and safer to use, but you can’t guarantee that everyone else will do the same), pocket money and your biggest smile! I personally brought some money in my shoes just in case I’d need to get a cab to get back to my hotel.
I decided not to bring my phone or camera as I wanted to celebrate Holi without having to worry about my valuables.
How to protect your stuff during Holi
If you decide to take the risk and bring your camera/GoPro/phone with you to celebrate Holi it is at your own risk. You should get a waterproof bag, a waterproof phone case and hope for the best!
Holi for Women | Safety for Female Travelers
Photo by Nomadic Chica
As mentioned earlier, I was mentally prepared to be groped at Holi. The truth is it can happen in India Holi or not at Holi and a big celebration day such as Holi that involves physical contact is likely to make it easier for people to be inappropriate.
If you’re traveling solo in India you might want to find friends to celebrate Holi. The best way to do so would be to find the right hostel and go out there with a group.
You might want to dress in a way that you won’t get any unwanted attention. I’ve been amazed by the quantity of female traveler who is going for these “inappropriate outfits” that generate a lot of attention and by the reactions of some of them when they get all the stares and looks. So ladies, don’t play with fire – and be safe out there!
Where to Stay in Mumbai | Hotels in Mumbai
I suggest staying around the old part of Mumbai, not too far from Colaba where all the action is likely to be! During Holi, I had the privilege to stay at Trident Nariman Point, which is located next to the harbor and is perfect to enjoy the sunset!
I’ve been appreciating a bit of luxury towards the end of my trip to India!
Find a room in Mumbai!
Where to Stay in Mumbai on a Budget | Hostels in Mumbai
Finding the right hostel in India is a real challenge! There are so many hostels and guesthouses that seem to have the best reviews and somehow some of these hostels aren’t good at all! I’d suggest you read the reviews before making a booking to avoid such situations. To celebrate Holi you should try to find a hostel located in Colaba (see the full list of hostels here) and I’d suggest staying at Backpacker Panda Colaba, which is a new hostel. I spent Holi with their team and it was an amazing experience!
Find a room in Colaba, Mumbai!
READ MORE ABOUT INDIA
‣ Backpacking in Kerala, India | One Week in Kerala
‣ Ernakulam to Munnar by Bus | Backpacking in India
‣ Luxury Train Travel in India With The Deccan Odyssey
BEFORE YOU GO TO INDIA
☑ Book your flight: If your flight isn’t booked yet – check out the flights on Skyscanner or via Google Flights. My top saving tip is flexibility. If you’re flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight.
☑ Book your accommodation: I always use Airbnb and Booking.com. If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you should take a look at the options on Hostelworld. If you click on the Airbnb link and you don’t have an account yet – you’ll get a $30 discount on your first booking.
☑ Protect your cute face: Oh, you may want to protect your cute face with a travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers. Otherwise, you can also take a look at World Nomads.
☑ Pack the essentials: You can consult this list when it’s time to pack your bag! Do not leave without a universal charger, a power bank and your passport!
☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren’t sure if you need a visa, it would be a smart idea to take a quick look before you go. You can use iVisa – it’s super useful and easy to use.
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