A complete guide to celebrating Holi In Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is widely popular among travellers for its lush green valleys, snow-capped mountains and adventure activities. But do you know about the unique Holi celebrations that take place amidst this stunning scenery? Celebrating the festival of colours in Himachal Pradesh is an unmissable experience as it is a perfect blend of vibrant traditions and scenic landscapes.

Over the past few years, spots like Pushkar, Vrindavan and Barsana have become hotspots for backpackers during Holi. Travel photographers and influencers often swarm to these places before the festivities begin. However, Holi in Himachal Pradesh, despite being renowned for its festival celebrations, is yet to make headlines. It could be an excellent choice for a unique experience this season. So, embrace the spirit of ‘Bura na mano, Holi hai!’ and get ready to dive into colours, culture and fun!

Local Himachali people celebrate Vibrant festivities of Holi (Source - ghumoindiacommunity.com)

Here are our top recommendations for celebrating Holi in the Himachal Pradesh: 

1. Paonta Sahib

Paonta Sahib is a historic town in Sirmour district, Himachal Pradesh situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. This river is closely connected to Lord Krishna's childhood days, as it was through these waters that his father Vasudeva safely carried a newborn Krishna on a stormy night. Paonta Sahib is widely famous for its majestic Gurdwara, founded by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. But do you know it is also renowned for its Holi Mela?

Paonta Sahib Holi mela is a week-long fair that is undoubtedly a focal point of interest for the locals. Typically, people engage in Holi festivities until mid-day, followed by an evening visit to the mela for additional fun. One of the highlights of Paonta Sahib Holi mela is that thousands of locals gather at the significant ground in front of the holy shrine to seek blessings for good health and prosperity.

The whole atmosphere exudes so much positivity as it’s filled with prayers and rituals, enhancing the spiritual experience for all attendees. If you want a glimpse of Himachali holi celebrations, then you must attend Paonta Sahib Holi mela for an unforgettable cultural experience.

How to get there?

By Road - Paonta Sahib is accessible from Dehradun (45km) and Chandigarh (120km) by private cars, cabs and state buses.

By Rail - The nearest railway station to Paonta Sahib is Dehradun railway station(45 kms), which is well connected to major cities like New Delhi, Lucknow and Mumbai. Taxi services are readily available here to get you to Paonta Sahib.

By Air - The nearest airports to Paonta Sahib are Chandigarh Airport and Dehradun Airport.

Majestic Paonta Sahib Gurdwara in the picturesque Sirmour district (Source - discoversikhism.com)

2. Manali

While the traditional celebration of Holi in Himachal Pradesh offers a unique and unforgettable experience, the Holi dance parties in Manali are a must-attend if you're in the mood for a more westernised twist. Afterall, it’s Holi, so dancing is a must!

Manali is famous for its dance parties, where almost the entire town gathers on open grounds or the famous Mall Road to celebrate Holi festival in the most fun way. Giant DJ sets blast some Holi remixes, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Regardless of the age or status, everyone comes together to dance all day. Street food vendors sure do make a lot of money that day. These dance parties are such a vibe, making them a must-see aspect of Himachali Holi that you shouldn't miss.

How to get there?

By Road - Manali is well connected with major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala and Shimla. Several Volvo buses frequently run from Delhi and Chandigarh to Manali.

By Rail - Manali doesn't have a railway station, but the closest one is Jogindar Nagar Railway Station, which is around 166 km away. You can take buses from this railway station to reach Manali.

By Air - The closest airport to Manali is Bhuntar Airport, around 50 km away. Taxi or bus services to Manali are available from the airport. The road journey from Bhuntar to Manali offers breathtaking scenic views.

You can check out The Hosteller, Old Manali, right here if you want an affordable accommodation option.

People soaked in colors and dancing their hearts out at a Holi dance party

3. Sangla Valley

You can experience traditional Himachali Holi in the enchanting Sangla Valley, where the celebration is more like a carnival, lasting over 3-4 days. Specifically, Holi is an integral part of the 4-day Faguli festival, joyously celebrated on its third day.

The Faguli festival, one of the religious festivals of Himachal Pradesh, is primarily celebrated by locals and tribal communities. During the Faguli festival, people usually serve the local delicacies and traditional liquor known as Phasur. People also light the oil lamps as part of the festivities, similar to Diwali traditions. Therefore, the Faguli festival perfectly blends two of India's most loved and widely celebrated festivals - Holi and Diwali.

As the morning of Holi in Sangla dawns, people gather at the Sangla Valley's main temple, the Nag Mandir. Men dress up like characters from the epic Ramayana. The celebration unfolds with the melodic singing and spirited dancing of village folks, accompanied by the joyous play of colours by children.

As part of the festivities during Holi in Sangla, people shoot a dart or arrow at the picture of Ravana. According to myth, if the arrow hits the house wall, it symbolises God's triumph over the evil spirit. Additionally, during this time, people offer food to animals for 7 days. This traditional and unique Holi in Sangla is an unmissable experience indeed!

A view of majestic Nag Temple in Sangla

How to get there?

By Road - The HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) buses run regularly from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Many private and state buses are readily available for Sangla from Chandigarh.

By Rail - There is no railway station at Sangla. The closest railway station is Kalka Railway Station in Shimla. You can take a taxi or bus from Kalka to reach Sangla.

By Air - The nearest airport to Sangla is Jubbarhatti Airport at Shimla, 238 km away.

Locals of Himachal Pradesh playing instruments during Holi celebrations

4. Kullu

In the Holi festivities, powdered colours and water guns play an integral role, making it a cherished childhood memory for many of us. But have you ever heard of Ice Holi? When exploring the Holi in Himachal Pradesh, there's no way snow is left out!

Ice Holi is very popular and widely celebrated in Kullu. Locals, especially children, blend powdered colours with the snow and go all out. It's basically a snowball fight turned into a big Holi celebration. As this unique Holi is exclusive only to the snowy locales, folks from the plains are excited to visit Manali this year to experience this Holi celebration with a Himachali twist.

How to get there?

By Road - State-owned and private bus services occur regularly from major cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, Shimla and Dharamshala . Apart from buses, one can self-drive or hire a private cab from Delhi, which is 497 km away.

By Rail - the Joginder Nagar Railway Station (166 km) is the closest railway station to Kullu. You can also take a train to Chandigarh ( 345 km) from Kullu, and then grab a bus from the Railway station to Kullu.

By Air - Kullu has an airport situated just 14 km away from Manali. Another alternative is Bhuntar airport (50 km), connected to Delhi and major cities by flight service.

Himachali children joyfully posing for a picture during Holi celebration

5. Sujanpur, Harmirpur district

Holi in Himachal Pradesh is incomplete without Holi fairs. The entire state hosts many melas and small fairs during this time. These events include numerous processions with drummers, local bands, several dancing crews and, of course, a plethora of colours and water balloons.

Out of all the Holi melas, the Sujanpur mela is quite famous. It starts with a special prayer and offerings to the gods, followed by a full-fledged fair in the open field. Stalls offering authentic local cuisine and tempting fast food, a variety of entertaining games, some fun amusement rides for children and live musical stages stand out as the event's highlights.

How to get there?

By Road - Harmirpur is connected to all the major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun and Lucknow. The State Transport operates its well-maintained fleet of both luxury and ordinary buses within the state. Hired Taxi service is also available at most places.

By Train - There is no direct Train service to this town. The nearest railway station from Hamirpur is Una, about 80 km from Hamirpur. Frequent Bus /Taxi service is available to and from all the railway stations.

By Air - The nearest Airport to Harmirpur is Gaggal (Kangra) near Dharamshala, which is 83 km away and frequent bus/taxi services are available to and from Gaggal.

A glimpse into livley Holi mela in Sujanpur, Harmirpur District

After getting a glimpse into the celebrarion of Holi in Himachal Pradesh, let us take you through some of the fabulous Holi legends, which will help you understand the significance of Holi.  

Significance of Holi

Holi is one of the significant Hindu festivals, widely known as the festival of colours. The significance of Holi lies in its celebration to mark the end of the winter season and the joyous arrival of spring, invoking the anticipation of a good harvest season. Holi festival typically spans over 2 days. It begins on the full moon evening, celebrated as 'Holika Dahan' when the enormous wood pyres are lit. The following day, known as ‘Rangwali Holi’, is filled with powdered colours and water.
 

Mesmerizing view of Holika Dahan in a small village of Himachal Pradesh (Source - inextlive.com)

Popular Holi festival legends

Holi festival is associated with numerous legends and folktales within Hindu scriptures. Among them, the tales of Prahlad-Hiranyakashipu and Lord Krishna-Radha are two of the most significant and famous Holi legends.

1. The love story of Lord Krishna-Radha

Holi is celebrated as the festival of colours, symbolising the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. According to the legend, with his dark complexion, young Krishna felt envious of Radha's fair skin. One day, he questioned his mother, Yashoda, about this disparity and injustice by nature. To appease him, Mother Yashoda suggested Krishna to go and playfully paint Radha's face with whichever colour he desired.

Known for his mischievous nature, young Krishna followed his mother's advice and applied colour to his beloved Radha's face, mirroring his complexion. Lord Krishna extended this playful act to other Gopis as well. This beautiful Holi story is depicted in many paintings and murals. This prank by Lord Krishna is believed to have been integrated with the Holi festival ever since.
 

A painting depicting Radha-Krishna playing Holi with Gopis

2. The story of ‘Holika Dahan’

Another symbolic legend narrates the story of Holika Dahan, explaining why Holi is celebrated as the festival of the triumph of good over evil in honour of Lord Vishnu and his devotee Prahlad. This Holi story revolves around a demon, King Hiranyakashipu, who had earned a boon from Lord Shiva, granting him five special powers for his protection. This made him think he was superior to all, and he arrogantly asked everyone to worship him.

However, Hiranyakashipu's son, Prahlad, remained a devotee of Lord Vishnu. This infuriated Hiranyakashipu, and after subjecting Prahlad to many cruel punishments, he ordered his demon sister, Holika, to kill Prahlad. Holika tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her as she was immune to fire. As the pyre was lit and the fire spread, to everyone's surprise, Holika was burnt down to ashes, and Prahlad emerged unharmed from the fire. Later, Hiranyakashipu was brutally killed by Lord Vishnu in the fierce form of Narsimha - half human, half lion.
 

Lord Vishnu in Narsimha avatara killing evil King Hiranyakashipu

Travel responsibly!

As you head to these serene destinations in Himachal Pradesh for the Holi festival, remember to be a responsible traveller. Keep the environment clean by not littering and disposing of waste properly. Opt for eco-friendly products, such as natural colours and biodegradable packaging, to minimise your impact. Respect the local culture and wildlife, and leave no trace behind. Enjoy the vibrant celebrations while preserving the beauty of the places you visit for future generations.

Conclusion 

With the breathtaking backdrop of Himalayan landscapes, Himachali Holi is already a big hit. But what sets it apart is that it's a perfect blend of traditions and fun. From playful snowball fights to lively fairs and dance parties, the air fills with joy and cheerfulness, guaranteeing abundant fun during this vibrant occasion. We highly recommend including the Ice Holi in Kullu and the Faguli Festival in Sangla Valley to your list, as they have been our favourites!

Now that you know everything about the customs and traditions of Holi in Himachal Pradesh, how about planning your own joyous getaway to this serene landscape? And while you are at it, explore the budget-friendly accommodations in Himachal Pradesh right here. Trust us - Himachali holi will be a bit different but an enjoyable experience. After all— Holi hai!