Holi or Dola Yatra, also called the Festival of Colors, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Nepal,Bangladesh, Pakistan, Srilanka, and countries with large Hindu diaspora populations, such asSuriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, the UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji. In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh it is known as Dola Yatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsab ("spring festival"). The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected to the god Krishna:Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi, which lasts here to up to sixteen days.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister ofHiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of godVishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar monthPhalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

Most Popular Festivals in Puri :

Makar Sankranti Saraswati Puja (Sri Panchami) Maha Shiva Ratri Phagu Dasami Holi (Dola Purnima) Ram Navami Sudasha Brata Maha Vishuba Sankranti Akshaya Trutiya Savitri Amabasya Pahili Raja Shitala Sasthi Bahuda Yatra (Hari Sayan Ekadasi) Chitalagi Amabasya Prathamastami Raksha Bandhan (Gamha Purnima) Ganesh Chaturthi Nuakhai Apara Paksha Dussehra (Garbhana Sankranti) Kumar Purnima Dipavali Uthapan Ekadasi (Panchuka) Kartik Purnima Manabasa Gurubar Snana Purnima Jhulan Purnima Chaitra Poornima Konark Dance Festivals Puri Beach Festival