If you only experience one festival in your life, make it Holi.
I have never felt joy quite like the moment the first handful of color hit me — bright pink, then orange, then green, until I could not tell where I ended and the crowd began. Holi, the Festival of Colors, marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. But standing in the middle of it, what you really feel is pure, unfiltered celebration.
What Holi is actually like
Loud. Joyful. Completely overwhelming in the best way. Strangers become friends in seconds. Music pours from every direction. And by the end of the day everyone — grandmothers, toddlers, tourists — is the same rainbow shade.
Tips before you go
- Wear white (or clothes you will never wear again) so the colors pop.
- Oil your hair and skin beforehand — it makes the color wash out far more easily.
- Protect your camera and phone in a sealed bag.
- Say yes. To the dancing, the sweets, the strangers. That is the whole point.
Coco sat this one out (color powder and pups do not mix), but she was waiting at the end of every magical, messy day.
Planning a festival trip? My Ultimate Travel Guide covers how to travel respectfully, pack smart, and experience culture from the inside. — Lina