Festival of colours: Spectacular ways of Holi celebrations in India

The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan celebrates a special version of Holi on the Ekadashi before the festival, known as Phoolon wali Holi (Flowers' Holi) because devotees only use flowers to play with one another.

Holla Mohalla, or "warriors' Holi," is a festival that is observed in Punjab. The festival, which is held the day before Holi, features poetry, horse riding, and demonstrations of martial arts. Its main purpose is to honour the valour of Sikh soldiers, especially those of the Nihang Sikh sect.

Vrindavan is one of the areas with the strongest restrictions for a widow's lifestyle. Therefore, this Holi was introduced to bring some colour to the widows of Vrindavan's .

Shigmo is a form of Holi celebration in Goa that lasts about 14 days. In addition to playing with colours, it is planned as a huge carnival with traditional folk music and street dances. Being a coastal state with a large fishing population, boats are colourfully decorated. There are two methods to celebrate the Shigmo: the rural community celebrates the "Dhakto Shigmo," which is small in nature, while everyone else celebrates the "Vhadlo Shigmo," which is larger in nature.

People practise worshipping the burning fire on this day, with their kids and wearing garlands of desiccated fruit around their necks. This day is designated to honour how Holika sat in fire.

Almost ten vehicles are adorned with flowers, and some even have children dressed up as Radha-Krishna.

The most popular Holi celebration, drawing large crowds of tourists from all over the nation and the world. It is observed in Barsana, Mathura, and Vrindavan. It is one of the quirkiest methods to celebrate Holi, where women chase after men while carrying lathis or canes and hit them playfully. In Gorakhpur, people honour brotherhood through Holi Milan, Holi lasts for seven days in Kanpur and the final day includes an enormous fair called Ganga Mela.

Basant Utsav commemorates the arrival of the Basant Ritu and is well-known in West Bengal. Bengali people enjoy playing with gulal. Dol is an important part of the Holi festival in Bengal, where Dol Yatra (a religious gathering) is held on the main day.