Complete Guide To Celebrating Holi In Pushkar 2025

Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated throughout India and with great aplomb. But traditions, customs, and festivities differ from region to region. Pushkar Holi Festival celebrates the onset of spring and commemorates the victory of good over evil. In Pushkar, Holi is given a unique blend of local flavours with Rajasthani music and dance performances, regional delicacies, and all-out revelry. Play with a kaleidoscope of Gulal colours and dance to the beat of the Dhol till you’re ready to pass out. Enjoy an epic Holi in Pushkar this year with this complete guide to the festival.

Pushkar Holi Festival Dates 2025

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Holi is celebrated on the full moon day of the Falguna month of the Hindu calendar each year. The festival is observed on the same day across India and other countries with Hindu populations, such as Mauritius, Guyana, Nepal, the US, and the UK. In 2025, Holi falls on the 14th of March, with Holika Dahan on the 13th.

Preparations for the Pushkar Holi Festival begin up to a week in advance. The Holika Dahan is celebrated by lighting up a great big bonfire, symbolising the demoness Holika. Effigies and bonfires will be set up in Main Market Square, Varaha Ghat, Jaipur Ghat, and Brahma Chowk in Pushkar. The auspicious time set for lighting the bonfires is between 11:25 PM and 12:40 AM midnight of 13th-14th March. On the 14th, music, dance, and a riot of colours will take centre stage throughout the day.

Also Read: Places to celebrate Holi in India

Why is Pushkar the Best Place to Celebrate Holi?

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With its great spiritual significance, scenic views, and unique traditions, Pushkar is undoubtedly one of the best places to celebrate Holi. The Shri Brahma Temple is the only temple in the world dedicated to Brahma, the creator of the world in Hindu cosmology. There’s no better occasion to visit the temple and offer your prayers than the sacred festival of Holi. Lying beside the temple is the great Pushkar Lake. The Aravalli hills surround the town, and forts and palaces are scattered around the city.

Unique customs such as “Kapda Faad Holi”, where people playfully tear each other’s clothes, characterise the Pushkar Holi Festival. Gair dance is performed by the men and women of the Bhil community, and Dhamal or Chang is another exciting Rajasthani folk dance performed on the day of Holi. DJ sets playing Bollywood Holi classics like Rang Barse, Balam Pichkari, and Hori Khele Raghuveera accompany the beat of the traditional drums. Pushkar Holi Festival draws an Indian crowd as well as international tourists. The scale of festivities is beyond your wildest imagination, and you must experience it at least once to get a taste of Holi in Pushkar.

Pushkar Weather in March (Holi)

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March is the beginning of the summer season in Rajasthan. Days start to get longer, the nights shorter, the afternoons warmer, and the heat stifling. As it’s the transition period, March isn’t the hottest month, but the daily maximum temperatures start reaching 30 degrees Celsius by this time. Wear light cotton clothes and comfortable footwear, and carry drinking water to avoid dehydration. Pushkar Holi Festival is known for playing with colour and water, which helps with the heat. Moreover, the warm weather is the perfect time for a glass of Thandai – a cold, rosy sherbet, sometimes laced with Bhang (an intoxicant).

Related Post: Rajasthani Holi

Best Places to Celebrate Holi in Pushkar

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Take out your Pichkaris and head to these spots in Pushkar, the heart of all Holi celebrations.

Main Market Square – The main market road is the centre of all hubbubs in Pushkar. This is where the entire city gathers for celebrations and festivities. Traditional drums and international DJs both move people to dance to Holi music. Furthermore, the market is an answer to all your shopping needs.

Varaha Ghat – The entire town ends up at Varaha Ghat at one point or another during the day on Holi. Tourists and locals gather in the streets here, smearing each other with gulaal. The streets become a sea of people. You’ll see vendors selling Holi special delicacies and stalls selling souvenirs.

Rangji Temple Road – Shri Ranganatha Venugopal Mandir in Pushkar is a tourist favourite for its stunning architectural style. Hundreds of devotees pay their respects at the temple on this sacred day. The road to the temple becomes a centre of attraction for celebrating Holi.

Pushkar Lake – The lake is the centralmost landmark of the city. In Hindu scriptures, Pushkar Sarovar is described as the Tirtha-Guru. Hundreds of big and small temples and dozens of ghats surround the lake.

Brahma Temple – Made from marble and stone slabs with a distinctive red Shikhara, this temple dedicated to the four-headed creator of the universe – Lord Brahma, is a sacred site that is visited by thousands of devotees during the Pushkar Holi Festival. Celebrations at the temple on Holi are ecstatic and grand.

How to Reach

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This is how to reach Pushkar so you can participate in the Pushkar Holi Festival 2025 to your heart’s content.
By Air: The nearest airport to Pushkar is Kishangarh Airport, a domestic airport about 45 km from Pushkar city centre. The closest international airport is the Jaipur International Airport, 130 km from the city. The Jaipur airport, of course, has greater connectivity and a higher frequency of flights. Upon reaching either city, you can take a bus or train to Pushkar.
By Train: The city is well-connected by railway. Besides Ajmer Junction, which is located 15 km from Pushkar, the city also has its own terminus (Pushkar Terminus Railway Station) on the railway line. Frequent trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and other cities reach Ajmer and Pushkar railway stations.
By Road: Pushkar is located at the intersection of the NH8, NH69, and NH89 national highways. Regular buses connect the city with Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Delhi.
Local Transport: The most common ways to commute within Pushkar are auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and shared taxis. Walking isn’t a terrible option either, as the city is quite compact and most places are close to each other.

Related Post: Festivals In March

Things to Do in Pushkar Beyond Holi

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There are a multitude of touristy and fun things to do in Pushkar besides celebrating Holi. Go sightseeing and visit temples and lakes –

Ajmer Sharif Dargah – a centre of devotion for both Hindus and Muslims, the shrine to the famous Sufi Moinuddin Chishti Khwaja Garib Nawaz is a must-visit place near Pushkar.
Strolls in the Rose Garden – A relaxing stroll amid nature and a bouquet of blooming flowers is just what you need after the heady celebration of Holi.
Bathing in Pushkar Lake – One of the most sacred lakes in India, Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 ghats where devotees take a cleansing dip.
Trekking to Ratnagiri Hill – One of the most refreshing things to do in Pushkar is to take a trek up to Ratnagiri Hill. This is a moderate trek of 1.5 km and takes about 2 hours. Atop the hill lies the Savitri Devi Temple, wife to Lord Brahma.
Desert Camping & Camel Safari – An overnight stay in a desert camp with Rajasthani folk performances and a sumptuous dinner is one of the quintessential things to do in Pushkar, second only to a camel ride.
Hot Air Balloon Rides – Take an adventurous ride in the skies of Pushkar and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city’s lake, temples, forts, and streets.

Tips for Celebrating Holi in Pushkar Safely

Follow these to celebrate a fun, safe, and wholesome Holi in Pushkar –

• Apply coconut oil or a good moisturiser all over to prevent colours from sticking to your skin.
• Either cover your hair or oil it to prevent dryness and itchiness.
• Go with comfortable, light clothing.
• Drink lots of water throughout the day and head out to play Holi only after eating a hearty breakfast.
• Use herbal and organic colours and avoid synthetic colours.
• Avoid carrying expensive gadgets while playing Holi. Carry a waterproof pouch to keep your phone safe and cash dry.
• Holi celebrations can often get crowded and overzealous. Move to a less crowded area if you are uncomfortable.
• Take consent before applying colour to strangers. Travel in groups to avoid unsavoury experiences.
• Celebrations often include Bhang and alcohol. Know your limit with both, and avoid overindulging.
• Book your hotel or camping stay early, as accommodations can fill up fast.

You May Also Like To Read: Holi Weekend Getaways From Delhi

That’s Pushkar Holi Festival in a nutshell. So, if you’re ready to celebrate Holi with vibrant colours, music, dance, and traditional rituals, head to the city for an unforgettable experience in 2025. Plan your trip to Pushkar and enjoy a quintessential Rajasthani Holi.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pushkar Holi Festival

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Abhay Kumar

Abhay Kumar is a graduate of English Literature. Writing is both his hobby and his passion. He writes academic research articles as well as poetry and short fiction. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and translated fiction. He also loves traveling and writing about himself in the third person.