India celebrates Holi, a lively festival of colors, every year in March. As Holi is celebrated across the entire country, the Holi celebrations in Rajasthan are special and not to be missed. The lively color parades, along with traditional customs and exciting events attract many tourists to Rajasthan. Apart from this, the significance of the 9 best places to enjoy Rajasthan Holi with 9 unique traditions is immense. In various parts of Rajasthan, Holi is celebrated with some special traditions that one should surely experience in their lifetime. This blog explores these 9 places to enjoy Rajasthan Holi with your friends and family.
9 Best Places To Enjoy Rajasthan Holi With 9 Unique Traditions
For your next Rajasthan Holi celebration, consider going to these places to have an amazing experience of this lively festival. Each place presents something unique as compared to others. These include:
1. Dolchi Holi – Bikaner
Dolchi Holi is an ancient tradition that is said to have started over 300 years ago. This celebration involves men throwing water on each other using a water vessel called Dolchi. Dolchi is made from camel skin. The tradition began from a conflict between two communities which was solved when the men started throwing water at each other, and it slowly became a practice. This is the best Holi in Rajasthan mostly for men, as women and children only watch the fun.
2. Brij Holi – Bharatpurjaipur
Brij Holi is celebrated in the Brij region of Bharatpur which was founded by Raja Surajmal in the early 18th century. This Rajasthan Holi which happens before the main festival is grand and filled with joy. Lord Krishna is worshipped, and people enjoy dance performances and stage shows. The highlight of the festival is the Raslila dance where men and women dress as Krishna and Gopis and dance together. Hence, Brij is one of the best holy places in Rajasthan to celebrate this festival.
3. Dhulandi Holi – Jaipur
Dhulandi is celebrated to mark the end of winter and the start of spring, but it also has a connection to Lord Krishna. This Rajasthan Holi history describes that Krishna became blue after drinking demon’s milk, and his mother suggested he color Radha in the same way. Since then, people have celebrated Holi to remember this event. In Jaipur, temples are decorated, and the entire city is filled with lively colors.
4. Techno Holi – Pushkar
Pushkar, a small town known for the only Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, turns into a lively party destination during the Rajasthan Holi celebration. The celebration in Pushkar is especially popular among the younger generation. The market, the main square, and the ghats near Pushkar Lake become the center of the celebrations, with people dancing to a mix of techno music and Bollywood Holi songs. The atmosphere is full of energy, and you can enjoy drinks like bhang thandai or lassi while taking part in the fun. The colorful celebrations and young crowd make Pushkar a vibrant place to celebrate Holi.
5. Gair Holi and Mali Holi – Ajmer
Gair Holi is a traditional folk dance in Rajasthan where men from 12 villages near Ajmer gather to perform the Gair dance a few days after Holi. Each village brings its drummers, dancers, and musical instruments to create an energetic and exciting atmosphere.
Mali Holi provides the experience of the best Holi in Rajasthan as it is a unique way to celebrate Holi in Ajmer. In this tradition, men from the Mali community throw colors at women, and the women playfully hit the men with sticks or long pieces of cloth.
6. Koda Maar Holi – Bhilwara
Koda Maar Holi is one of the best types of Holi in Rajasthan and is celebrated in several areas like Shri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bhilwara, and Ajmer. During this celebration, men play with colors, and women add a fun twist by hitting the men with Koda sticks (handmade wooden sticks with rubber) or wet cotton cloths. This playful celebration creates lots of laughter and excitement which makes Koda Maar Holi a lively and unforgettable Rajasthan Holi celebration.
7. Pattar Maar Holi – Banswara, Barmer
Pattar Maar Holi is an exceptional way of celebrating Holi in the Barmer, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Bara regions. People throw small stones and colors at each other during the Rajasthan Holi celebration. To stay protected, individuals cover their heads with turbans and use shields to protect themselves. While it may sound risky, it is done in a friendly, fun way, and the stones used are small to avoid harm.
8. Rang Teras – Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh is also one of the Holy places in Rajasthan that celebrates Holi on a different day. While most of Rajasthan celebrates Dhulandi on the same day, Chittorgarh marks Rang Teras a few days later. The Rajasthan Holi history of this place says that the delay in celebration is because one of the former rulers of Chittorgarh passed away on the day of Dhulandi, so people in Chittorgarh do not celebrate Holi on that day.
9. Royal Holi Celebrations – Udaipur, Jodhpur, And Jaisalmer
For a royal experience of Holi, visit Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Jaisalmer. The royal families of these cities actively take part in Holi celebrations and invite the public to their palace gardens and courtyards. In Udaipur, the Maharaj lights the Holika Dahan fire in the City Palace on the night before Holi. In Jodhpur, the royal family opens the gates of Umaid Bhawan Palace for the public to join in the colorful celebration.
Conclusion
Whether you want to have fun, experience the local culture, or seek spiritual meaning, Rajasthan Holi celebrations present something for everyone. The colorful celebrations and the rich traditions of Rajasthan make Holi here a magical experience. Even if you are a local or planning to indulge in festivities in India, Rajasthan Tours India can assist you in many ways.
We are the country’s most reputable tour and travel agency that makes your Rajasthan Holi celebration at its best. We present a vast range of affordable packages to the most prominent places in the country that are popular for Holi celebrations. Being a reliable partner of a respectable brand in India’s tourism sector, A Hospitality Club for the last 26 years, we enable you to make Holi unforgettable for life.
