HOLI MOO FESTIVAL
* Lose yourself or Find yourself in the Colourful Chaos of India *
2 Weeks - march new delhi india
Photo by Jaya Kasturi on Unsplash
INFORMATION
The most colorful festival of the year
The Golden Triangle
HIGHLIGHTS - Colour, Chaos & celebrations
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* There are 2 music festivals - Unite Holi Music Festival and Holi Moo Festival - check them out and the venues they will be on at. Unite Holi Music Festival is on at the Jawaharla Nehru Stadium and Holi Moo Festival moves about. See Hotels Below.
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New Delhi 3N to New Delhi 3N via
Agra (Taj Mahal) 4N
Jaipur (Pink City) 4N = 14N
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UNESCO listed Humayun’s Tomb
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UNESCO listed Qutub Minar
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UNESCO listed Red Fort
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UNESCO listed Taj Mahal
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UNESCO listed Agra Fort
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UNESCO listed Fatehpur Sikri
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UNESCO listed Jantar Mantar
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UNESCO listed Jaipur City
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UNESCO Listed Amber Palace
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Bollywood Musicals
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Sound & Light Shows
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Sheroes Hangout
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Taj Nature Walk
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Rooftop Restaurants
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Hot Air Balloons
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Forts & Palaces
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Hawa Mahal
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Old & New Delhi
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Holi Moo Festival - multiple stages with 100's of performers, scrumptious food & innovative watering holes
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Unite Holi Music Festival - electronic stage with smoke guns, electronic fireworks, delicious food, rain dance, water guns
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All travel information including hotels etc is at the bottom of this page
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1 - 3 NEW Delhi - 3N
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Fly in and out of New Delhi. Attend the festival when you come back as the climax of your trip. Settle in and start getting 'Indianised'. See the three UNESCO sites. Some other outings you may want to include are India Gate, Old Delhi, the bazaars, temples, rickshaw tours, free walking tours, a segway tour, see a cultural performance, see a Bollywood Musical at the Kingdom of Dreams, ride the Delhi Eye, a Hop on Hop off Bus and a sound and light show at the Red Fort. That should keep you busy for a few days. There are different areas that are good for eating and entertainment later on in the day. The Connaught Place area around the hotel has more than it's fair share of bars.
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New Delhi's Finest
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Go To New Delhi Tours 2
4 - 7 Agra - 4N
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Getting train tickets in India can be a real drama. Have a look at this guide. If you have any problems or just want to skip the hassles I highly recommend dealing with these people. Once you've got your tickets hop on the train and head to Agra the home of the Taj Mahal - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. See the three UNESCO sites. Stay in a very nice hotel with a rooftop terrace complete with swimming pool, cafe and restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal. Which means you're only a short walk away.
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There are a few rooftop restaurants overlooking the Taj Mahal that would make good lunch spots. There is the Hotel Saniya Palace - and Stuff Makers at the Kamal Hotel.
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There is not much night life in Agra but you can get a drink from the hotels. There are other things to do though. Like the Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Centre and a sound and light show at Agra Fort.
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The craftsmanship on this building needs to be seen to be believed. It took around 20,000 labourers 22 years to build and cost roughly the equivalent of US$1 Billion at the time. Shah Jahan built it as a tomb for his wife who died giving birth to their 14th child. It is said that Shah Jahan had plans to build another one in black marble across the river for himself. It would have been called the Taj Jahan. Unfortunately he was thwarted by his son who murdered his brothers and usurped the throne. Shah Jahan is buried in the Taj Mahal. You can see the foundations for the black Taj at Mehtab Bagh.
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As well as visiting the Taj Mahal there is the 9 kilometer Taj Nature Walk. It takes you through a green belt along the river and offers different viewpoints of the Taj Mahal. It is rich in flora and fauna and there is a good chance of you seeing various birds, butterflies, flowers and possibly some mammals. Lunch at the rooftop restaurant by the South gate would top off a pretty good morning.
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Image by Simon Steinberger from Pixabay
Taj Mahal
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Agra is known for it's Mughlai cuisine which features creamy curries and stuffed parathas. A good place to support is a cafe called Sheroes Hangout. It is completely staffed by women who have suffered horrific acid attacks. A disgusting custom that isn't heard about much in the West. The cafe raises awareness and also gives the women confidence. It runs on a pay what you think system.
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Some other activities include a Bollywood sound and light show, Helium Air Balloons, Sunrise at the East Gate and an evening stroll through the local markets trying the iconic street food and sweets of Agra.
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8 - 11 Jaipur - 4N
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Next stop on the train journey around the Golden Triangle is the Pink City - Jaipur. It is the capital and richest city in the state of Rajasthan. It was painted pink in anticipation of a visit from Queen Victoria in 1876. Pink symbolises hospitality in the Indian culture. Once again you'll be in a nice hotel with alfresco dining at the poolside restaurant. You only have to visit 2 UNESCO sites here and you are already in one of them. The city of Jaipur and the other one is the Amber Palace or Fort.
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Jal Mahal - Water Palace
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Other entertainments include the Amber Palace with a sound and light show (the King who lived here had 12 wives and 350 mistresses) it's out of town and has a restaurant and dance and puppet shows. Have a look at the picturesque Jal Mahal Water Palace on your way back. It appears to be floating and you can take a boat out for a look around. The City Palace is a must see. As is the Hawa Mahal one of the city's main attractions. Get off road on ATV's and quad bikes. For sunset you want to be at the Nahargarh Fort.
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Visit some of the tea shops, chai walas and lassi shops, and restaurants that are local institutions. Try a Slutty Brownie shake at Nibs Cafe & Chocolateria. One place has been open for three hundred years! Have lunch at the spectacular Wind View Cafe.
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Restaurants are located on rooftops, bazaars and in Royal Palaces. Here you will be eating Rajasthani cuisine from Royal kitchens. Don't miss Niro's where an eclectic group of celebrities from around the world have eaten. People like Greg Chappell, James Coburn, Rajiv Ghandi, Kapil Dev and Naomi Campbell. Another amazing place is the Rajasthani village-themed resort and entertainment venue. The town also has a pumping night life. The Jawahar Circle musical fountains - rooftop - bars - cinema - and late night eats.
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12 - 14 NEW Delhi - 3N
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Take the train back to New Delhi for the big finale. Don't skimp on the PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and have a great time. Details below. You can get from the train station to your hotel on the metro. Stay in South Delhi which close to the Jawaharal Nehru Stadium where the Unite Holi Music Festival is held and is a bit quieter than other parts of New Delhi. The Holi Moo Festival is held at the Asiad Tower Fort Complex (Siri Fort) which is also nearby. Sometimes it is held in Goa which is not. Check them both out before you book your tickets.
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There are some sights to check out in this part of town as well. There is the Garden of Five Senses, the UNESCO Heritage Listed Qutub Minar minaret built in 1192 and the Mehrauli Archaeological Park which are all quite close to each other. Train buffs and foamers will enjoy the National Rail Museum.
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Go To New Delhi Tours 1
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Time to fly home. Or if you still want more you could hop on #133 India's UNESCO Toy trains. Good Luck!!
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HOLI MOO
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DATE -
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On the full moon day of Phagun (12th) month in Hindu calendar, which usually falls at the end of February or early March in the Gregorian calendar. Like all of them it varies and would help if you were an astronomer.
LENGTH -
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A night and a day
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HISTORY -
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It's pretty old, it was mentioned in the 4th century.
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It celebrates the onset of spring.
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It is a Hindu religious ceremony but is now celebrated by many others.
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Essentially it is celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
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The Holi Moo Festival has been going for 10 years and is customer friendly
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WHERE -
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South New Delhi in the morning for throwing colour with the locals,
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Then head to the Hoil Moo Festival - Asaid Tower Complex (Siri Fort) / or Unite Holi Music Festival - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where there is music, food, yoghurt drinks,
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There are also lots of other Holi parties around New Delhi
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ABOUT -
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On the night before bonfires are lit and effigies of a demoness named Holika are burnt. People sing and dance around the bonfires. Around the city, people practice rituals and pray to get rid of their inner evil.
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The next morning the carnival starts with coloured powders, water guns, wandering drummers and dancers​
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HOTELS -
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Delhi - Stay at or near the Hotel Connaught Royale Delhi **** - in the Connaught Place area, restaurant, 24 hour desk
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Agra - Stay at or near the Hotel Atulyaa Taj **** - great location with a swimming pool, and terrace restaurant on the roof with views of the Taj Mahal which is 500 metres away. Coffee shop with High Tea and meals.
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Jaipur - Stay in a traditional Haveli, the Umaid Mahal **** - great location close to the attractions, 18th century heritage style hotel or haveli with Royal decor, outdoor pool, rooftop restaurant, lounge bar, free pick up from the bus and train stations - think about getting the Royal Deluxe which gives you full day use of a private car with chauffer
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Jaipur - or the Suryaa Villa Jaipur *** - excellent location near the sights, outdoor pool, restaurant, 24 hour desk, Spa and Wellness Centre, cafe
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Delhi - Stay in South Delhi to be close to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where the Unite Holi Music Festival is held at Colonel's Retreat 2 ** - excellent location walking distance to the festival, balcony and terrace. It is also close to the Asiad Towers Complex (Siri Fort) where Holi Mee Festival is held, but sometimes they move it to places like Goa which is not nearby. Check out the two festivals and the venues then pick the one you like and book it online.
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VISA -
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INCLUDES -
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Smear colour on people, squirt them, sing and dance and enjoy local delicacies, multiple stages, international performers, dancing under water sprinklers
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HIGHLIGHT -
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When the Bhang Lassi kicks in
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FLIGHTS -
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New Delhi Indira Ghandi International Airport (DEL) - has direct flights to 131 destinations in 42 countries, covering everywhere except South America. They should be able to link up with North America or Europe.
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To get into town from the airport you have train, bus and car options.
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One you've bought your tickets get some travel insurance to cover yourself
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BRING -
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Cheap white clothes buy an inexpensive Kurta pyjama like pants and top ,
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Strap on safety goggles,
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Sealed plastic bag for your belongings, leave your valuables back at the hotel,
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Ladies bring an old bra you can throw away at the end of the day,
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Crocs or thongs (flip flops),
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Cover your entire body in almond or coconut oil,
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A disposable camera, wet wipes, a hat
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SAFETY -
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Avoid Paharganj the backpacker area where it gets unruly,
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Avoid the streets which can get really crowded and crazy where groups of men whacked out on Bang Lassi's will be groping females inappropriately,
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It's best to go to a Holi party in a stadium or somewhere similar,
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People with contact lenses will need to make some arrangements,
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If you suffer from asthma it's probably better not to come,
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Single women should not go out alone in public
PARTY FACTOR -
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Be careful with the Bhang Lassis - they're not for pregnant ladies, don't have them on an empty stomach and don't mix with alcohol
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TIPS -
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Chant Holi Hai (it is Holi),
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There are special food and drinks for Holi,
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Gaudy colours have more chemicals in them,
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Put a thick coat of nail polish on your fingers and toes,
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Go out on the streets early and be off them before midday when the men become drunk
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Beware of scammers in Jaipur - ignore people who come up to you on the street
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Information for this page was sourced from the following websites - Business Standard, TDM, Thai Airways and India Odyssey Tours.