Help with Holi!

I am going to be in Rajasthan this spring and just realized that I intend to travel from Jaipur to Agra on March 3rd, which appears to coincide with Holi. As such, I think that a prudent course of action would be to lie low in Jaipur and enjoy the festivities, and perhaps head on to Agra the next day. Do you think that is best???

I was just wondering, how difficult is it to travel around during Holi? I will either be doing this leg by train or with a car and driver? And also, are the celebrations pretty much centered on the actual day of Holi, or is it pretty crazy for a few days on either side as well? Would I be better advised waiting until the 5th or 6th before moving on? I'm still pretty flexible at this point, but would rather not have to spend a bunch more days in Jaipur than I had originally intended.

Any input would be much appreciated...

There are other threads about this - do a search. My best tip to you is this: pay more than usual for 2 nights in a nice hotel with room service, and a balcony where you can watch the streets from above. Stay indoors. Watch TV. Read a book. Go out the next day.

Tim in England

Thanks for your reply, Tim. I did do a search on the site, and I think that is where some of my confusion is comming from. Most places I have seached on the internet (and guidebooks such as LP) seem to indicate that Holi will be celebrated on March 3this year, yet there was a recent post here on India Mike that indicates that March 4th is the lucky day. Which one is it??? Or do the celebrations extend thru both days...leaving me safely barricaded in my hotel room for two days ?

Also, will travel be affected on the days either side of Holi, or is it just the actual day that is crazy???

Any input would be appreciated, once again...Thank you...

This page puts Holi on the 3rd in 2007, though whether that is indeed correct is your guess as well as mine. Certainly Holi only lasts for one day, so you only need to stay indoors then. Everything gets back to normal on the next day: business is business, after all!!

Tim in England

Colour day differs in date from place to place.

If you're not a lone female I would be all for getting into the spirit of things, go out and get a little colour!! It's great fun and since you're there anyway, why not bring back a memory of India.

A few things to be aware of though the colour doesn't wash out easily, so if your blonde or grey you might have a "Mrs Slocombe rinse" for a while, don't wear ANYTHING you cant afford to throw away. And wear some cheapo sunglasses.

It's not all about colour day though, there are some pretty intense rituals on other days of the Holi festival.
Strangely enough I spent my most enjoyable Holi in Goa, not normally asocciated with Hindu celebrations, the stick dancing in the evening was charged with energy!!

Try and catch some of the celebrations on other nights, perhaps in Pushkar where the celebrations seem to go on forever!