The ultimate guide to Holi festivals around the world
Have you ever wondered why there’s a day devoted to wishing people Happy Holi and throwing brightly colored paint powders all over strangers? And why everyone looks like they’re having such a great time?
Here’s your ultimate guide to the Hindu festival of Holi along with some top tips and a guide to where you can celebrate Holi all around the world.
What is the Holi festival?
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival that marks the end of winter and celebrates the arrival of spring in India. The real roots are in the victory of good over evil when the wicked demoness Holika was defeated and the Hindu God, Lord Vishnu, triumphed.
Holika was then burned on a huge bonfire for her evil spirit and onlookers applied the ash from the fire to their foreheads to symbolize triumph over evil. As the years went on, the colored powders that are so iconic today began to be used instead.
When is Holi celebrated?
Also known as "the festival of colors" and the "festival of love," it is celebrated over the course of a night and a day and the date each year depends on the lunar cycle. This year Holi takes place on 9 and 10 March and 28 and 29 March 2021 if you are planning ahead.
Read more: From Argentina to Ireland: Best holiday destinations for March 2020
How is Holi celebrated?
Like all good things, Holi is celebrated in two parts. On the night before Holi, huge bonfires are lit to commemorate the burning of the evil Holika. This day is known as Holika Dahan and people dance and sing around the fires.
The next day is all about having fun and celebrating life. Traditionally, colored paint powders are thrown all over the streets and spread across smiling faces. People party, have water fights, spend time with loved ones, dance to Bollywood tunes and enjoy a little bhang.
What is bhang and why is it so important in Holi?
Made from the leaves and buds of the female cannabis plant, bhang has been used in India for hundreds of years in various forms. When the Indian Holi celebrations really kick in, shots of bhang are dished out mixed with pistachios, almonds, milk, rose petals and sugar. Bhang is also used in other Indian snacks like pakoras and vadas.
Where is Holi celebrated?
Although Holi originates in India, it is also widely celebrated in other parts of Asia and around the world. For example, in the U.K. there are an estimated 350,000 Hindus living in London but farther away from home, here are five amazing destinations to celebrate Holi:
India
The two main airports and biggest cities in the country are New Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). Most major airlines fly to India including many Star Alliance, Oneworld and SkyTeam airlines, making it easier to use points and miles. If you add up your transferable points, you should be able to find multiple options so you can choose an airline/route that is best suited for you.
Nepal
With warm weather in March, it is a great place to celebrate Holi and if you have time, you can also conquer Mount Everest or go white water rafting. There are some interesting new hotels like the Aloft Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, which both opened last year. A room at the Aloft starts at $121 for a standard guest room over the Holi dates. Prices at the Marriott over the same period start at $140 for a deluxe room or 30,000 Marriott points.
Mauritius
Roughly half the population of Mauritius are Hindu, and Holi is a national holiday. The streets of the capital Port Louis are filled with people celebrating and dancing in the sun. The Intercontinental Resort Mauritius is on the northwest coast about an hour from the airport on a lagoon called the Baie aux Tortues and near Port Louis. Free nights can be redeemed with 30,000 IHG Rewards Club Points or you can pay $200 for a standard room.
Trinidad and Tobago
Holi is known as Phagwa in Trinidad and Tobago and has been celebrated here since 1845. There is a range of accommodation options from a cabin in the rainforest to beachside resorts. The World of Hyatt loyalty program offers a generous award chart and you can spend a night at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad for 12,000 points or $167 for a king room.
Practical tips for making your Holi festival 2020 a fun, safe experience
- Not everyone uses naturally dyed powders so protect your skin and eyes. A good way of preventing the powder from absorbing into your skin is to rub coconut oil on it or a moisturizer with an oily base.
- Don’t wear your best clothes as the colors will stain. Buy some cheap white clothes as they will make the colors stand out and make your photos better.
- Cover your camera carefully or buy an old school disposable camera. Whatever you do take, wrap it up well.
Bottom line
Holi may not be the biggest religious festival in the world but it is definitely one of the best and most fun so plan ahead, pick a destination and start celebrating. Happy Holi.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.