Festival guide
Holi
Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated on the morning after Holika Dahan, at the start of the dark fortnight of Chaitra. It marks the end of winter and the playful spirit of spring.
Holi dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday 3 March | Phalguna Shukla Purnima 2 Mar, 17:56 → 3 Mar, 17:08 |
| 2027 | Monday 22 March | Phalguna Shukla Purnima 21 Mar, 18:22 → 22 Mar, 16:13 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi in the evening (pradosh).
Also known as: Rangwali Holi, Dhulandi, Phagwah, Dol Jatra (Bengal).
Story and significance
Besides the story of Prahlada, Holi is tied to Krishna, who — according to Braj tradition — playfully coloured Radha and the gopis. Braj (Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana) celebrates for over a week, including the famous Lathmar Holi.
How Holi is celebrated
- Throwing coloured powder (gulal) and water on friends, family and strangers alike
- Sweets such as gujiya, and the drink thandai
- Visiting relatives and mending quarrels — the day is about renewed relationships
- In Bengal, Dol Jatra carries images of Radha and Krishna on decorated swings
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Holi 2026?
Holi 2026 falls on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Holi 2027?
Holi 2027 falls on Monday, 22 March 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Holi change every year?
Holi is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha Purnima of Phalguna (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Holi fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.