Holi 2021 Date: When Is Holi, How Is Holi Celebrated? | .uk

India celebrates Holi festival with traditional coloured powders

Holi is a vibrant Hindu festival, known as the Spring Festival, Festival of Colours and Festival of Love. The festival commemorates the beginning of spring and is synonymous with plumes of brightly coloured paint powder which are used in celebrations across the world.

• Holi colours meaning: What is the significance?
• Holi 2020 WhatsApp greetings: Holi wishes, quotes & messages to send

When is Holi?

Each year Holi falls on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun - the 12th month of the year in the Indian calendar.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

This year, Holi will be celebrated on Sunday, March 28 until Monday, March 29.

The festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna.

Read More: Holi EXPLAINED: History behind Holi - why is it celebrated?

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Holi 2021 date: When is Holi? How is Holi celebrated? (Image: GETTY)

Holi 2021 date: Each colour paint represents something different (Image: GETTY)

• India's Pandya restrained after flare-up with England's Curran

Holi also signifies the triumph of good over evil.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

According to legend, the demon king Hiranyakashipu demanded he should be worshipped as a god instead of Lord Vishnu.

Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by any man or animal and so had let his confidence overwhelm him.

Despite his demands, Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlada stayed devoted to Lord Vishnu, which angered Hiranyakashipu.

Holi 2021 date: For Little Holi families meet to sing, dance and light bonfires (Image: GETTY)

Alongside his sister Holika, Hiranyakashipu set out to kill Prahlada, and Holika tricked Prahlad into sitting in a huge bonfire.

She had a shawl to protect her from the flames, which she used leaving Prahlad to be burnt to death.

However, Holika’s shawl instead left her and covered Prahlad, saving him and burning Holika to death.

Today Holi celebrations begin with the burning of Holika, known as Holika Dahan.

• Prince Philip's 100th birthday celebration 'thrown into doubt'

How is Holi celebrated?

Celebrations may feel very different this year due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

Typically celebrations begin the night before in a ceremony knows as Holika Dahan – or Little Holi.

For Little Holi families meet to sing, dance and light bonfires.

Holi 2021 date: Brightly coloured paint powder is thrown over crowds (Image: GETTY) Your daily horoscope with Russell Grant plus selected offers and competitions Subscribe Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

Then for Holi itself, celebrators gather on the streets with music and dancing.

Brightly coloured paint powder is thrown over crowds, with participants often wearing white clothes to pick up as much paint as possible.

Each colour paint represents something different.

• Yellow for knowledge
• Blue for determination
• Green for happiness
• Red for sensuality

• Holi 2019: Happy Holi! Where to celebrate Holi 2019 across the UK
• Holi 2019: Why do we celebrate Holi? Songs, greetings and messages

During the festival, often water is thrown, live street music can be heard and traditional food and drink is enjoyed by all.

After a day of dancing and brightly coloured paint throwing, clean clothes are donned and the evening spent with families, often sharing food.

Currently, restrictions are in place in some states across India due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Check with your local government to see the restrictions near you.

How to Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments Most Read Most Commented Latest videos UK becomes world's 'cash machine' as one in four settled migrants claim benefits Live-event Major travel chaos expected as train station to remain shut for hours after fire Harry and Meghan braced for boos on return to this key Commonwealth nation Death in Paradise fans issue same complaint as drama moves away from Saint Marie Waterloo Road icon announces return to BBC show and fans are delighted Royal Mail delays hit 28 postcodes across the UK — full list Popular toys urgently recalled from major stores over 'serious' health risk Dog trainer shares the three dog breeds that are most 'challenging' to train UK households with dishwashers face £108 charges from April Free Mother's Day from TGJones worth £4.99 with your paper 'Most important' command every dog owner should teach their pets Couple gobsmacked when 'sausage dog' they adopted grows into something else Morrisons introduces major change to checkouts that all shoppers should be aware of 'I adore this Manuka honey 'wonder' balm for dry skin, lips and hair - now £15 in sale' 10 places in the UK will make you 'feel like you're in Lord of the Rings' Tesco, M&S and Matalan urgent recall over asbestos in product — 'wear gloves and a mask' Expert issues warning to anyone with leather boots 'Happy' dog desperate for new home after heartbreaking message from animal rescue Don't use dry shampoo on greasy hair as makeup product works much better Anti-ageing ingredient Princess Kate reportedly loves in British-made face oil Scenic riverside walk 'perfect for weekend stroll' with multiple coffee and pastry stops Dog trainer names five types of people who 'should never own a dog' 27 dog breeds that need most walks and exercise named by dog trainer — full list Beloved DIY store confirms UK closure after 65 years Sainsbury's issues urgent recall of air fryer and asks people to 'stop using immediately' Urgent food recall over popular dessert as shoppers warned 'do not eat' Urgent recall of popular products in UK over illegal ingredients and asbestos risks Full list of high-street store closures announced in March — TG Jones, Matalan and more I visited colourful town with amazing independent shops and friendly locals Dog breeds with shortest lifespan named — one has life expectancy of just 5.4 years Golden retriever owner speaks out on 'puppy blues' as dog doesn't want to cuddle Vet warns of five dog breeds he'd 'never own' - including one with 'fantastic personality' Celebrity perfume urgently recalled over 'serious chemical hazard' Marks and Spencer confirms store openings and closures across the UK — full list Dog trainer names three breeds they 'never recommend' — one 'can kill a pack of wolves' 'Don't throw away plastic containers' as they have 'beautiful' use 'I'm a dog lover but would never own 1 unpredictable breed'

Daily Express uses notifications to keep you updated

Keep me updated No thanks