Holi between Varanasi and Nepal border?

four_ton_mantis · Feb 24th, 2009, 00:20

Hi all,

I will be enroute from Varanasi to Nepal during the Holi period. Can anyone suggest somewhere smaller, preferably devout, to spend the festival?

I've considered backtracking to Mathura for Holi, but I hate adding the expense of two long train trips to get there and back.

Thanks in Advance!

atala · Feb 24th, 2009, 02:31

Holi in Mathura/Vrindavan would not be a very pleasant experience because "half Delhi" is visiting at that time. I would avoid Gorakhpur on my way to Nepal, as it is one of the dirtier cities that I have seen in India.

You are looking for something smallish, yet devout. Hmmm, you are actually entering the Buddhist circuit, where many visit to see the Buddha's places. I do not really know of any specifically Hindu-devout places in the area where you could stay. Villages in the area are terribly saddeningly poor. Balrampur has a certain standing as a place to visit, with enough hotels for tourists, and it is close to the Nepal border, as well as to one of the major places in the Buddha's life, Mahet and Sahet, the former Savatthi (Sravasti). Near Jetavana Grove where the Buddha taught are a number of monasteries, where you could stay for a small donation, if you so desired. The Korean temple is a good option there, with a very warm Zen-master as head-monk.

Kushinagar on the other side of Gorakhpur is another important Buddhist place, yet with a strong Hindu atmosphere because of many merchants there. There you find a welcoming atmosphere for western tourists and the necessary infrastructure, while it is actually not a very large town.

karuna · Feb 24th, 2009, 02:48

I absolutely recommend Kushinagar. Lovely little place.

four_ton_mantis · Feb 25th, 2009, 20:53

Thanks for the advice!

I considered Kushinagar but I assumed that since it was predominantly Buddhist, Holi would be less "exciting" than in other destinations.

I'm still strongly considering Braj, but logistics are hard to arrange.

Feb 24th, 2009, 00:20	#1
four_ton_mantis Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: north carolina Posts: 11	Holi between Varanasi and Nepal border? Hi all, I will be enroute from Varanasi to Nepal during the Holi period. Can anyone suggest somewhere smaller, preferably devout, to spend the festival? I've considered backtracking to Mathura for Holi, but I hate adding the expense of two long train trips to get there and back. Thanks in Advance!

Feb 24th, 2009, 02:48	#3
karuna Just a big girl with a small dream Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: A little town you've probably never heard of Posts: 2,976	I absolutely recommend Kushinagar. Lovely little place. __________________ Mosquitos suck.

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Feb 24th, 2009, 02:31	#2
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	Holi in Mathura/Vrindavan would not be a very pleasant experience because "half Delhi" is visiting at that time. I would avoid Gorakhpur on my way to Nepal, as it is one of the dirtier cities that I have seen in India. You are looking for something smallish, yet devout. Hmmm, you are actually entering the Buddhist circuit, where many visit to see the Buddha's places. I do not really know of any specifically Hindu-devout places in the area where you could stay. Villages in the area are terribly saddeningly poor. Balrampur has a certain standing as a place to visit, with enough hotels for tourists, and it is close to the Nepal border, as well as to one of the major places in the Buddha's life, Mahet and Sahet, the former Savatthi (Sravasti). Near Jetavana Grove where the Buddha taught are a number of monasteries, where you could stay for a small donation, if you so desired. The Korean temple is a good option there, with a very warm Zen-master as head-monk. Kushinagar on the other side of Gorakhpur is another important Buddhist place, yet with a strong Hindu atmosphere because of many merchants there. There you find a welcoming atmosphere for western tourists and the necessary infrastructure, while it is actually not a very large town.

Feb 25th, 2009, 20:53	#4
four_ton_mantis Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: north carolina Posts: 11	Thanks for the advice! I considered Kushinagar but I assumed that since it was predominantly Buddhist, Holi would be less "exciting" than in other destinations. I'm still strongly considering Braj, but logistics are hard to arrange.