Holi

Holi

When is Holi 2022?

Holi Celebrations

Holi is regarded as the Hindu festival of colours, the festival of springs, or festival of love. Ideally, Holi celebrates the arrival of a good spring season, the end of winter and the blossoming of love.

When is Holi?

The date of the Holi celebration changes every year as it is based on the lunar calendar. The holiday falls between February and March during the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar. The day before Holi is called Holi Dahan, and it is a holiday in some states.

Is Holi a public holiday?

Holi is a public holiday in India. Most Indians enjoy walking on the streets and applying colours on their friends and even strangers.

What is closed or open on Holi Day?

Being a public holiday, Holi is a day off to the general population. Government offices, schools, organisations, and most businesses remain closed for the day. A few retail stores may, however, open for some hours before joining their families and friends for Holi. The public transport may operate normally, but you should expect heavy traffic because of the street processions of people going for Holi.

What is Holi?

Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival to welcome the Spring season. Today, the holiday rejoices the liveliness of Spring with pomp and colour. Holi is associated with many legends that try to explain its origin. The first story is based on Lord Krishna and the girl Radha who she liked. Apparently, Krishna complained to his mother that he was so dark such that Radha, who was fair, might not like him. His mom advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. Since then, Holi is celebrated as a festival of colours and a means to disregard social norms in a multicultural society.

Other people believe that an evil king had plans of killing his son, Prahalada, who was a devoted follower of god Vishnu. Prahalada had refused to follow into his father's evil deeds, and for this reason, the King planned on killing him. The King asked his sister Holika, who he believed was immune to fire, to sit with Prahalada in the fire. When the fire was started, Holika burned alive, but Prahalada survived due to his devotion to Vishnu. Since Holika asked for Prahalada's forgiveness before her death, he promised to remember this every year at Holi. As a result of this story, the Holi festival is seen as a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

Things to do on Holi?

Holi is an enthusiastic holiday, especially for kids and the young generation. Holi is a great time to come together and have fun with your friends and family. The most iconic activity involves throwing of colour on the Indian streets. People also paint their bodies and clothing with coloured water and powder. People dress in white clothes, colour each other with coloured powders and throw water balloons at one another. The throwing of colours is seen as a means of devotion and respect not only to deities but also to loved ones.

It is common for the young generation to indulge in treats of thandai (spiced milk) and bhang (a milk beverage with cannabis paste). The treat is believed to make people relax during the festival.

You could also build large bonfires on the eve of Holi as these fires help scare evil spirits. Burning of bonfires is a joyous occasion and an opportunity for you to indulge in Holi songs, dance, and a chance to socialise with friends. You can also attend a public bonfire held in most towns between 10 pm and midnight to commemorate Holika's burning.

Worshipping the idol of Radha is also a common practice on Holi Day. Radha is the Hindu goddess and the lover of Lord Krishna. Traditional stories suggest that Radha was the first woman to be showered with colour as a show of love. To honour this and show respect for Radha, many people sing Holi songs and perform Holi wishes near the goddess idol.

Holi Observances

Year Date Day Holiday
2024 26 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday
2024 27 May Mon Spring Bank Holiday
2024 6 May Mon Early May Bank Holiday
2024 25 Mar Mon Holi
2024 24 Mar Sun Holika Dahan
2023 23 Dec Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 9 Dec Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 25 Nov Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 11 Nov Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 28 Oct Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 14 Oct Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 23 Sep Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 9 Sep Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 28 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday
2023 26 Aug Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 12 Aug Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 22 Jul Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 8 Jul Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 24 Jun Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 10 Jun Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 29 May Mon Spring Bank Holiday
2023 27 May Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 13 May Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 1 May Mon Early May Bank Holiday
2023 22 Apr Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 8 Apr Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 25 Mar Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 18 Mar Sat Holi
2023 11 Mar Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 8 Mar Wed Holi
2023 7 Mar Tue Holika Dahan
2023 3 Mar Fri Holi
2023 25 Feb Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 11 Feb Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 28 Jan Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2023 14 Jan Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 24 Dec Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 10 Dec Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 26 Nov Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 12 Nov Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 22 Oct Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 8 Oct Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 24 Sep Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 10 Sep Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 29 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday
2022 27 Aug Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 13 Aug Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 23 Jul Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 9 Jul Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 25 Jun Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 11 Jun Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 2 Jun Thu Spring Bank Holiday
2022 21 May Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 14 May Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 7 May Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 2 May Mon Early May Bank Holiday
2022 23 Apr Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 9 Apr Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 26 Mar Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 19 Mar Sat Holi
2022 18 Mar Fri Holi
2022 17 Mar Thu Holika Dahan
2022 12 Mar Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 26 Feb Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 12 Feb Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 22 Jan Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2022 8 Jan Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 25 Dec Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 11 Dec Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 27 Nov Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 13 Nov Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 23 Oct Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 9 Oct Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 25 Sep Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 11 Sep Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 30 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday
2021 28 Aug Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 14 Aug Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 24 Jul Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 10 Jul Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 26 Jun Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 12 Jun Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 31 May Mon Spring Bank Holiday
2021 22 May Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 8 May Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 3 May Mon Early May Bank Holiday
2021 24 Apr Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 10 Apr Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 29 Mar Mon Holi
2021 28 Mar Sun Holika Dahan
2021 27 Mar Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 21 Mar Sun Holi
2021 13 Mar Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 27 Feb Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 13 Feb Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 23 Jan Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2021 9 Jan Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 26 Dec Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 12 Dec Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 28 Nov Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 14 Nov Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 24 Oct Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 10 Oct Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 26 Sep Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 12 Sep Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 31 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday
2020 22 Aug Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 8 Aug Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 25 Jul Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 11 Jul Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 27 Jun Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 13 Jun Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 25 May Mon Spring Bank Holiday
2020 23 May Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 9 May Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 8 May Fri Early May Bank Holiday
2020 25 Apr Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 11 Apr Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 28 Mar Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 21 Mar Sat Holi
2020 14 Mar Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 11 Mar Wed Holi 2nd Day
2020 10 Mar Tue Holi
2020 9 Mar Mon Holika Dahan
2020 6 Mar Fri Holi
2020 22 Feb Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 8 Feb Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 25 Jan Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2020 11 Jan Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 28 Dec Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 14 Dec Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 23 Nov Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 9 Nov Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 26 Oct Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 12 Oct Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 28 Sep Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 14 Sep Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 26 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday
2019 24 Aug Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 10 Aug Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 27 Jul Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 13 Jul Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 22 Jun Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 8 Jun Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 27 May Mon Spring Bank Holiday
2019 25 May Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 11 May Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 6 May Mon Early May Bank Holiday
2019 27 Apr Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 13 Apr Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 23 Mar Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 21 Mar Thu Holi
2019 20 Mar Wed Holika Dahan
2019 9 Mar Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 23 Feb Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 9 Feb Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 26 Jan Sat 4th Saturday Bank Holiday
2019 12 Jan Sat 2nd Saturday Bank Holiday

Other Popular Holidays


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Holi Facts

18

INDIA

March 18, 2022

Quick Schedules

This Year Sunday, 24 Mar, 2024
Last Year Saturday, 14 Jan, 2023
Type Observances

Religious Holidays