Different Types of Holi Celebrated in Banaras (And What to Wear for Each)

The rest of India plays Holi for a day.

Banaras plays Holi for a week — and no two days look the same.

In a city that has been celebrating since before recorded history, Holi is not a single event. It is a layered, living experience — each day carrying its own ritual, its own crowd, its own philosophy, and its own meaning. One morning you are in a temple courtyard, showering marigold petals in devotion. The next, you are standing at a burning ghat, watching ash-covered sadhus dance in firelight that has never gone out.

The Holi festival in Varanasi begins with Rangbhari Ekadashi and is celebrated for a full 6 days. Heritagebanaras Each of those days is distinct. Each deserves its own guide.

If you are visiting Banaras for Holi — or planning what to wear for each occasion — this is that guide.

 

 

Holi 1: Rangbhari Ekadashi — Where It All Begins

 

When: 5 days before main Holi Where: Kashi Vishwanath Temple and surrounding areas 2026 Date: Around February 27, 2026

Banaras does not wait for Holi. It goes to meet it.

Holi in Varanasi begins with Rangbhari Ekadashi, a festival celebrated five days before the main Holi festival. It marks the divine reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. During this time, devotees of Lord Shiva gather in a grand procession. WeaverStory

After marrying Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva returned to Kashi, and people celebrated this day with gulal, songs, and dance. ResearchGate According to belief, this is the day Shiva himself first played Holi in Kashi — and the city has been honouring that moment every year since.

Another famous tradition associated with the festival is the turmeric and oil ritual, in which turmeric is applied to a silver idol of Lord Shiva. Pernia's Pop Up Shop The Kashi Vishwanath temple fills with fragrant marigolds, abeer, and the sound of bhajans. Priests and devotees shower each other with gulal — not merely in celebration, but in devotion. The colour here is not just colour. It is offering.

For more on the significance of Rangbhari Ekadashi, visit the official Visit Varanasi festival guide.

 

 

What to Wear — Rangbhari Ekadashi:

This celebration begins at a temple. Your outfit needs to carry both devotion and festivity — graceful, covered, and genuinely beautiful.

• Best choice: A light Banarasi silk saree or silk suit in soft, auspicious colours — turmeric yellow, ivory, pale saffron, or powder pink. Turmeric yellow is the traditional colour of this day.
• This is one of the finest occasions to wear an authentic handloom Banarasi saree — you are going to a temple and a celebration simultaneously, and nothing bridges that better than real silk in an auspicious colour.
• Head covering is required inside the temple — carry your dupatta.
• Avoid heavy embroidery or anything you would be heartbroken to get gulal on.
• Footwear: Embroidered jootis or comfortable flat sandals — temple queues can be long.

Mantavya Banaras: Our light tissue and soft silk sarees in ivory and turmeric yellow from our collections are made precisely for mornings like this — devotional, festive, and effortlessly graceful.

 

Holi 2: Masan Ki Holi (Bhasma Holi) — The Most Extraordinary Holi on Earth

 

When: The day after Rangbhari Ekadashi Where: Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat 2026 Date: Around February 28, 2026

There is no Holi like this anywhere in the world.

Also known as Bhasma Holi, the ritual unfolds at the city's cremation grounds, where ashes from funeral pyres replace gulal. Raw, intense, and deeply symbolic, the festival sets Kashi's Holi apart from celebrations seen anywhere else in India. The Zay Initiative

A day after Rangbhari Ekadashi, Shiva visits Masaan to celebrate Holi with his Ganas, ghosts, and spirits that live at the cremation ground — which is what we call Masaan ki Holi. ODHNI

The rituals include a grand procession of devotees carrying an idol of Bhagwan Shiva across the ghats of Varanasi, dancing and singing hymns in his praise. Unlike the vibrant colours of conventional Holi, Masan Holi participants use the ashes from Manikarnika Ghat's cremation pyres, symbolising renunciation and devotion to Shiva. The Aghori sadhus, who are known for their extreme ascetic practices, actively participate — smearing themselves with ashes, chanting Shiva mantras, and engaging in spiritual trance-like dances. Samyakk

There is a religious belief that playing Holi with the ashes of pyres brings happiness, prosperity, and blessings of Lord Shiva. The utilisation of pyre ashes represents the transience of life and the cyclical nature of existence. The pyre's flames burn the mortal remains, and Holi with bonfire ashes serves as a reminder of the eternal cycle of birth and death. Heritagebanaras

This is not morbid. In Banaras, the burning ghat is not a place of fear — it is a place of liberation. Unlike traditional Holi, which celebrates joy and the arrival of spring, Masan Holi embraces destruction as an essential part of renewal. The Zay Initiative

Read the full history and significance of Masan Holi at India TV News and Varanasi Guru's complete guide.

 

 

What to Wear — Masan Ki Holi:

This is not a fashion moment. This is a witnessing moment.

• If attending as an observer: Wear old, simple, dark-coloured cotton — something you would not mind ruining. Ash and mud will be involved.
• If participating as a devotee: White cotton is the traditional choice — simple, unassuming, and respectful.
• Do not wear: Silk of any kind, synthetic fabric, or anything precious.
• Your Banarasi silk saree stays home today. No exceptions.
• Closed-toe footwear — the ghat is uneven and crowded.
• Keep jewellery entirely minimal.

Masan Holi is a sacred ritual, not a tourist attraction. Observers should be mindful of the spiritual significance behind the celebrations and follow local guidelines, since the event takes place at Manikarnika Ghat, which remains an active cremation site. Samyakk

 

Holi 3: Lathmar Holi Banaras Style — Women Take the Lead

 

When: 1 to 2 days before main Holi Where: Assi Ghat and nearby temples

Inspired by the legendary Lathmar Holi of Barsana, Banaras has its own version — and it is every bit as joyful, theatrical, and alive.

On this day, women playfully chase men with lathis while the men defend themselves with shields. It is energetic, it is loud, it is rooted in ancient folk tradition, and it fills the lanes near Assi Ghat with a particular kind of chaotic happiness that only Banaras produces.

 

 

What to Wear — Lathmar Holi:

This is a high-energy, movement-heavy outdoor celebration. Comfort is not optional.

• Best choice: Bright cotton salwar suit — magenta, red, orange, deep green, royal blue. The bolder the colour, the better.
• The classic: White cotton kurta and churidar — once the colours land, it becomes a canvas.
• Tie your dupatta tightly — a loose dupatta in this kind of crowd is a genuine safety issue.
• Footwear: Flat kolhapuris or old chappals. Heels are completely impractical here.
• Pull hair into a tight braid or bun before leaving.
• Apply coconut oil to hair and exposed skin — it creates a barrier and makes colour removal much easier later.
• Avoid: Synthetic fabrics, expensive clothing, anything loose.

Mantavya Banaras Tip: If you have a family gathering or evening puja after Lathmar Holi, carry a fresh Banarasi saree in your bag. Change, transform, and arrive looking entirely different from the person who was dodging lathis an hour ago.

 

Holi 4: Ghat Ki Holi (Rangwali Holi) — The Image the World Knows

 

When: Main Holi day Where: Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Godowlia Chowk 2026 Date: March 4, 2026

This is the Holi that photographers dream about.

On the main Holi day, people start gathering on Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Godowlia Chowk, and the old streets of Varanasi. Holi is celebrated from 8 AM in the morning to late afternoon. By evening, Varanasi becomes peaceful again. ResearchGate

The air turns thick with gulal. White kurtas become canvases. Dhol echoes off stone steps. Thandai flows through the crowd. And standing at the ghats with the Ganga stretching wide behind thousands of celebrating people — it is one of those experiences that exists beyond what any camera can capture.

 

What to Wear — Ghat Ki Holi:

You will get drenched in colour. Dress for it entirely.

• The undisputed classic: All-white cotton kurta and pyjama or churidar. On this one day, white is the boldest choice you can make — because every colour that lands on you becomes part of the outfit.
• For women: White cotton suit or simple white kurta with leggings — comfortable, moveable, and genuinely photogenic.
• Fabric rule: Cotton only. Synthetic absorbs colour and clings to your skin uncomfortably when wet.
• Footwear: Your oldest pair of sandals or chappals. Accept that they will not survive the day clean.
• Jewellery: None, or small stud earrings only. Leave everything precious at home.
• Hair: Tight bun or braid. Coat liberally with coconut or mustard oil beforehand.
• Skin: Apply coconut oil to your hands, arms, neck, and face before leaving — the single most effective natural protection against stubborn colour.
• Your Banarasi silk saree does not come to the ghat today. Save it for the evening. 

 

Holi 5: Doli Jatra — The Soul of Banaras That the World Rarely Sees

 

When: Around main Holi, post Rangbhari Ekadashi through Purnima Where: Dashashwamedh Ghat through the lanes of Banaras

If Ghat Ki Holi is the image the world knows, Doli Jatra is the heart of Banaras that most visitors never reach.

Doli Jatra, also known as Dol Jatra or Swing Festival, centres on ornate palanquins bearing idols of deities like Radha-Krishna or Shiva-Parvati, swung rhythmically to invoke divine blessings during Holi. In Banaras, this procession symbolises the playful union of the divine couple, mirroring Krishna's leelas with Radha, while echoing Shiva's triumphant return with Parvati on Rangbhari Ekadashi. Hatkay

Doli Jatra processions snake from Assi to Dashashwamedh Ghats. Position yourself at this iconic riverfront for grand Doli Jatra processions, where ornate palanquins glide past the Ganga's waves amid thunderous dhol and cascading gulal from revellers. Hatkay

The narrow galis of Banaras become rivers of colour, music, and marigolds. Rooftops fill with spectators. Young crowds dance around the dolis. The oldest city on earth becomes, for this procession, a moving painting.

Read the complete 2026 Doli Jatra guide at News9Live.

 

 

What to Wear — Doli Jatra:

Both devotion and festivity are present here — and the celebration involves real walking through Banaras's ancient lanes.

• Best choice: Festive, rich colours — saffron, deep pink, royal blue, emerald green.
• Fabric: Cotton or cotton-silk — you need mobility and you may catch splashes of colour.
• This is one of those rare moments when a light Banarasi tissue or georgette saree looks genuinely extraordinary — the colour, the old stone galis, the marigolds everywhere — the setting does the work for you.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking sandals. Banaras's lanes require real walking. No heels.
• Pin your dupatta securely — loose fabric in a crowded procession creates problems quickly.

 

Holi 6: Holika Dahan — The Night That Sets Everything Up

 

When: The evening before main Holi Where: Ghats and mohallas across Banaras 2026 Date: Evening of March 3, 2026

Before the colours, there is the fire.

Locals start gathering things for Holika Dahan at Assi Ghat. People perform Holika Dahan by igniting fire in the evening before Holi day. ResearchGate This bonfire is lit across the ghats and in neighbourhoods throughout the city — symbolising the triumph of devotion over arrogance, of faith over ego, of good over evil.

Families gather around the fire. Priests perform aarti. Grain is offered to the flames. Prayers rise with the smoke over the Ganga. In Banaras, this evening holds a particular stillness — the city pausing, just for a few hours, before it explodes into colour the next morning.

 

 

What to Wear — Holika Dahan:

This is an evening puja and family gathering. It is not a colour day — it is a beauty day.

• This is the occasion. Wear your most beautiful Banarasi silk saree — deep red, maroon, saffron, dark green, or rich magenta.
• Real zari in firelight is something no description fully captures. The warm glow of flames catches the gold and silver threads of an authentic Banarasi brocade in a way that no studio photograph — and no synthetic zari — can replicate. It was made for this light.
• Jewellery: Gold sets are perfect. Real gold, real GI-tagged Banarasi silk, and firelight is one of the most beautiful combinations possible.
• Blouse: Matching or contrasting — both work.
• Footwear: Embroidered jootis or block heels — this evening can take them.
• Drape your dupatta gracefully. You are not playing Holi tonight. You are witnessing something sacred.

Mantavya Banaras: Holika Dahan evening is the moment our deep-coloured Banarasi silk sarees were made for. Firelight does something to real zari that no filter can imitate — and our GI-tagged Banarasi pieces in maroon, saffron, and deep green are among the most requested for this exact occasion.

 

Quick Reference — Banaras Holi Outfit Guide

 

 

Banaras does not perform Holi. It lives it — in ash and in colour, in fire and in water, in temple courtyards and on burning ghats. Every day is a different face of the same ancient joy.

And if there is one evening in this entire week when you should wear your finest Banarasi silk saree — it is the night the bonfire is lit, the prayers rise, and the oldest city on earth glows.

 

 FAQ Section

 

Q1. How many types of Holi are celebrated in Banaras? Banaras celebrates at least 6 distinct types of Holi across the festival week — Rangbhari Ekadashi, Masan Ki Holi (Bhasma Holi), Lathmar Holi, Ghat Ki Holi (Rangwali Holi on the main day), Doli Jatra, and Holika Dahan. The Holi festival in Varanasi is celebrated for a full 6 days from Rangbhari Ekadashi. Heritagebanaras Each has its own distinct ritual, location, and cultural significance.

Q2. What is Masan Ki Holi in Banaras? Masan Holi is celebrated using ashes from the cremation grounds — particularly at Manikarnika Ghat, one of the holiest cremation sites in Hinduism. This unique Holi is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the celebration carries profound meanings rooted in Hindu beliefs about the transience of life and the cycle of birth and death. Samyakk It is played the day after Rangbhari Ekadashi and is unlike anything else in India.

Q3. What is Rangbhari Ekadashi and why is it celebrated? Rangbhari Ekadashi is a festival celebrated five days before the main Holi festival. It marks the divine reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, when Lord Shiva returned to Kashi after their marriage and people celebrated with gulal, songs, and dance. WeaverStory It is the official beginning of Holi in Varanasi.

Q4. What is Doli Jatra in Banaras during Holi? Doli Jatra centres on ornate palanquins bearing idols of deities like Radha-Krishna or Shiva-Parvati, swung rhythmically to invoke divine blessings during Holi. Devotees believe participating cleanses the spirit, marking spring's arrival with colours. Hatkay The procession moves through the ancient lanes of Banaras and is one of the most visually extraordinary celebrations of the entire Holi week.

Q5. Can I wear a Banarasi saree during Holi in Banaras? Yes — but choose the right occasion carefully. Do not wear a Banarasi silk saree to Ghat Ki Holi, Lathmar Holi, or Masan Ki Holi — colour, water, mud, and ash will damage the fabric. The right occasions are Holika Dahan evening, Rangbhari Ekadashi, and Doli Jatra — all less colour-intensive and genuinely suited to the elegance of silk.

Q6. Is Holi in Banaras safe for tourists? Holi is celebrated in ghats, temples, and streets — and tourists are welcomed. Photography is allowed, but close-up photography of individuals should be done with permission. Wearing modest clothes is recommended, and there are precautions to take, especially for female travellers. ResearchGate Going in groups, keeping belongings minimal, and attending morning celebrations are practical precautions.

Q7. What should I wear to Ghat Ki Holi in Varanasi? White cotton is the undisputed classic for Ghat Ki Holi — either a kurta-pyjama for men or a white cotton suit/kurta with leggings for women. Avoid synthetic fabric entirely. Apply coconut oil to your skin and hair before leaving. Wear your oldest footwear. Leave all jewellery and precious items — including your Banarasi silk saree — safely at home.