Holi is a festival that we eagerly wait for every year. A holiday marked by its vibrant play of colours in a joyous celebration, it is a fabulous reason for everyone to come together. Have you ever visited the state of Bengal? If not, Holi, or Dol Jatra as we call it, is the perfect time to do so!

In Bengal, Holi is referred to as ‘Dol Jatra’ or ‘Dol Purnima.’ Spring has sprung, and winter has left a pleasant nip in the air in its wake. Exotic birds from far and wide chirp in delight, and people have risen from their sleepy wintry stupor to celebrate anew. On Dol Jatra, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s idol is paraded around the city on a palanquin and prayers are offered to Lord Krishna and Radha, after which abir is smeared on everyone. Bengal is a beautiful riot of colours at this time, and you definitely need to witness it! 

Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate, first started the celebration of Dol Jatra as ‘Basanta Utsab’ or ‘Spring Festival’ in Shantiniketan in his Visva Bharati University. Now an annual occasion, this is when the students don traditional attire and put on a spectacular cultural show with lots of dance and music. This has become a landmark event which even tourists flock to by the hordes every year.

Let the heavenly strains of Baul songs and Rabindra Sangeet— both born on Bengal’s soil, uplift and soothe your soul. Baul gaan, the glorious folk music of Shantiniketan, can be widely heard across the land and even greets you at the railway stations as you arrive here. Rich with raw, melodious emotion, you would be hard-pressed to not be moved by this display of sheer artistic harmony. And being the very birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore, how can you miss Rabindra Sangeet, the beautiful music he composed? This is the perfect opportunity to get your fill of the region’s boundlessly exquisite culture.

It is no secret that Bengal boasts of some of the most delicious food in the world! During Holi, you can gorge on a vast array of lip-smacking traditional fare that is always on offer, including tangy treats like phuchka (the local version of pani puri), and delectable sweets like malpua and sondesh. Don’t forget to wash them down with a glass of cool, creamy thandai.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!

Have you been to Bengal for Holi before? Tell us in the comments below.

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