Top 10 Places to Visit in Rajasthan during Holi 2026

Yash Shrivastav 08/01/2026

Places to Visit in Rajasthan during Holi 2026

Holi in Rajasthan does not arrive suddenly.
It builds up slowly, like a story you already know but still want to hear again.

By late February, you start noticing small signs. Markets change colour. People talk a little more loudly. Even ordinary evenings feel longer. When travellers look for Places to Visit in Rajasthan during Holi 2026, they are usually trying to match their own temperament with the right city. Because Holi here is not one celebration. It shifts with geography, history, and local behaviour.

Before getting into places, it helps to be clear about the dates around which everything revolves.

Holika Dahan (Holi Eve): Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Rangwali Holi (Main Color Festival): Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Around these two days, Rajasthan opens itself in very different ways, depending on where you choose to be.

1. Jaipur – Controlled Colour, Familiar Rhythm

Jaipur celebrates Holi with a sense of order that surprises many people.

Neighbourhoods wake up early on Rangwali Holi. Colour play stays mostly within communities. You see families greeting each other more than chasing strangers. On March 3, 2026, Holika Dahan happens quietly in residential areas, followed by people returning home rather than lingering outside.

Why Jaipur fits Holi well
It feels balanced. Festive, but not overwhelming.

Best time to visit
Late February to early March. Morning hours on March 4 are best.

Nearest places to see
Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace

How to reach
Jaipur is well connected by car, train, and flight. Taxis remain available during Holi, though early movement is easier.

2. Udaipur – Soft, Ceremonial Holi

Udaipur’s Holi feels restrained.

The royal Holika Dahan at City Palace on March 3, 2026 sets a calm, ceremonial tone. People gather, observe, and leave quietly. Rangwali Holi the next day is gentle, mostly limited to select areas and private spaces.

Why Udaipur works
It suits travellers who want atmosphere without exhaustion.

Best time to visit
Early mornings and evenings.

Nearest places to see
Lake Pichola, City Palace, Sajjangarh

How to reach
Udaipur has an airport and good rail and road connectivity. Local taxis function normally during Holi.

3. Pushkar – Spiritual and Chaotic Together

Pushkar during Holi is unpredictable.

Mornings near the lake feel devotional. By afternoon on March 4, 2026, colours take over streets quickly. Tourists and locals mix freely, sometimes awkwardly. Holika Dahan the previous night feels intimate, but Rangwali Holi can get crowded fast.

Why Pushkar attracts Holi travellers
It offers contrast in a small space.

Best time to visit
Early morning on Rangwali Holi.

Nearest places to see
Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Ajmer

Safety note
Stay in familiar areas and avoid peak crowds in narrow lanes.

4. Jodhpur – Loud, Direct, Unfiltered

Jodhpur’s Holi feels physical.

Local neighbourhoods celebrate openly. Music is loud. Colour is thrown freely. Holika Dahan on March 3, 2026 is observed seriously, almost solemnly, before everything breaks loose the next day.

Why Jodhpur stands out
It feels raw and honest.

Best time to visit
Morning hours on March 4.

Nearest places to see
Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada

How to reach
Jodhpur is accessible by train, road, and air.

5. Bikaner – Community-Led Holi

Bikaner doesn’t attract heavy Holi tourism, and that helps.

Celebrations feel local. Families gather. Children play. Holika Dahan on March 3, 2026 is intimate. Rangwali Holi stays joyful but contained.

Why Bikaner works
It feels personal, not performative.

Best time to visit
Full day on March 4.

Nearest places to see
Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace

How to reach
Best by train or road. Limited flights available.

6. Bundi – Quiet Colour, Slow Pace

Bundi feels like it observes Holi rather than chasing it.

Colour play happens slowly. People greet more than they throw gulal. Holika Dahan remains simple. Rangwali Holi is calm.

Why Bundi suits certain travellers
It avoids chaos.

Best time to visit
Late morning to afternoon.

Nearest places to see
Taragarh Fort, Bundi stepwells

How to reach
Via Kota by train or road.

7. Alwar – Festival Meets Nature

Alwar offers breathing space during Holi.

Celebrations remain localised, while nearby forests and Sariska soften the atmosphere. Holika Dahan on March 3, 2026 is quiet. Rangwali Holi does not overwhelm.

Why Alwar works
It balances festival and calm.

Best time to visit
Morning celebrations, quiet evenings.

Nearest places to see
Bala Quila, Sariska Tiger Reserve

How to reach
Well connected from Delhi by road and train.

8. Jaisalmer – Desert Silence After Colour

Jaisalmer’s Holi feels restrained.

Holika Dahan glows softly against sandstone walls. Rangwali Holi appears in local pockets but never overtakes the city. The desert absorbs noise quickly.

Why Jaisalmer fits Holi
It slows you down naturally.

Best time to visit
Morning on March 4.

Nearest places to see
Jaisalmer Fort, Sam Sand Dunes

How to reach
Best by train or road. Flights are limited.

9. Mount Abu – Cool Weather, Gentle Holi

Mount Abu feels separate from Rajasthan during Holi.

Cool air, greenery, and smaller crowds change everything. Holika Dahan is symbolic. Rangwali Holi stays mild.

Why Mount Abu works
It avoids heat and crowd pressure.

Best time to visit
Entire Holi period.

Nearest places to see
Nakki Lake, Dilwara Temples

How to reach
Nearest railhead is Abu Road, followed by road travel.

10. Nathdwara – Devotion Before Colour

Nathdwara’s Holi revolves around temple rituals.

Colours are secondary. Devotion leads. Holika Dahan is restrained, and Rangwali Holi remains symbolic.

Why Nathdwara matters
It suits spiritually inclined travellers.

Best time to visit
Morning temple rituals.

Nearest places to see
Udaipur, Eklingji

How to reach
Best by road from Udaipur.

Best Time to Visit Rajasthan during Holi 2026

Late February to early March
Early mornings are calmer
Afternoons vary by city
Evenings feel reflective

Weather remains comfortable, but crowd levels differ sharply.

Safety Tips for Holi in Rajasthan

Wear simple cotton clothes
Protect eyes and phones
Avoid alcohol-heavy zones
Respect local boundaries
Move with crowds, not against them

Awareness matters more than enthusiasm.

A Quiet Planning Note

Many travellers quietly plan Rajasthan Holi routes with Experience My India, not for luxury, but for balance. Choosing the right city matters more than covering many.