North India Highlights

Flying from Goa to Delhi this two-night, three-day tour includes a train journey to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort plus a guided tour of the sites of India's historic capital city.

 
 
 

Holi festival in Goa

FEATURED Updated on Mar 05, 2024 by Ella Brundle

Blog > Holi festival in Goa

Discover Holi festival in Goa, an incredible Hindu spring-time celebration, also known as the festival of colours...

When and what is the Holi festival all about?

Holi takes place in Goa, over a few days in March (the date varies), as it's the last full moon of the Hindu lunar month, Phalguna. The festival itself dates back as far as the 4th century and is predominantly the celebration of good conquering evil, but it is also a celebration to mark the end of winter, the beginning of spring, and the harvest, as well as, love and fertility. For many it is a festive day to meet with friends and family, laugh and play, and even mend broken relationships.


©Tim Gainey | Alamy Stock Photo 

 

Holi takes its origins from Indian mythology, namely the legend of Krishna and Radha. As the tale goes, the supreme god Krishna fell in love with the goddess Radha. Krishna was concerned about the difference in their skin colour, as he was blue, so his mother suggested he playfully paint her face to overcome their differences. This painting is still done today, with many friends and families painting their faces the same colour before they go out and enjoy the festivities. 


Above: an illustration of Krishna and Radha. Image credit: Miriama Taneckova | Shutterstock


Image credit: Alexander Mazurkevich | Shutterstock 

 

Holi is celebrated all over India, and in Goa, you'll find the most exuberant festivities at the temples in the south of the state. The coloured paint and water that's used during the event usually adopt four main colours (although you'll find plenty of others too): green; symbolising the beginning of spring, blue; the colour of Krishna, red; for love and fertility and yellow; the colour of turmeric. People spend the day smearing the coloured powder all over each other's faces, throwing coloured water at each other, having parties, and dancing under water sprinklers.


Image credit: India Picture | Shutterstock 

 

One of the best things about Holi festival is that everyone is invited to join in, whether of Hindu faith or not. 

Although Holi celebrations are enjoyed worldwide, there's nothing quite like being in the country where it all started, especially seeing as March is a fantastic time to visit Goa...

 

Our top places to stay in Goa 

Alila Diwa Goa | Majorda, South Goa 

Surrounded by lush rice paddies and coconut palms, this beautiful Balinese-style property in South Goa is a fantastic choice for holidaymakers. The infinity pool overlooking the rice paddies is the perfect place to relax, and just a short walk away you'll find the soft white sands of Majorda Beach. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, why not try one of the hotel's 'experiences'? You could enjoy a cooking masterclass, or perhaps a candlelit dinner in a tree house is more to your taste.

 

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa | Benaulim, South Goa 

Beautiful grounds dotted with palm trees, unrivalled facilities and a beautiful beach on the doorstep; are just some of the reasons why a holiday at the Taj Exotica is memorable. Relax in the spa, enjoy the multitude of cuisines, play golf, and rent bicycles - the choice is yours! Plus, all of this comes with exceptional service and five-star quality for which the Taj group are well known. 

 

If you'd like to know more about a holiday to Goa during March, visit our website, or give our sales team a call on 01489 866986. 

 

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Day 1: Departing Goa for Delhi our representative will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport. They will assist with your private transfer to your Delhi hotel which will be your base for two nights.

Day 2: This morning, you will depart Delhi railway staion to Agra. Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire, Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th and 17th century.

Taj Mahal

When you arrive in Agra you will be met by our representative who will introduce you to your guide who will take you to Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye. Continue for a visit to the Agra Fort, a walled city constructed of red stone which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Construction of the fort was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it.

You will also visit Itmad ud Daula, also known as Baby Taj. This tomb was built in 1622 for Ghiyas Beg, father of Empress Noor-Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. It is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice and set a precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones.

Later, you will be driven back to Agra Cantt railway station, where you will board your train back to Delhi.

Day 3: After breakfast, proceed for the orientation city tour of Old and New Delhi including a visit of the 17th-century Jama Masjid and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. Stop in front of the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo opportunity.

Later proceed to New Delhi where you will be taken for a drive past the Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of fallen Indian soldiers and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. You will also visit Qutab Minar, the 12th-century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India.

After the tour you will be transferred to Delhi Airport to board your short flight back to Goa.

 

Two-night price from £825 per person

  • Prices are based on two people sharing including internal flights and two nights' accommodation on B&B and include transfers.
  • A choice of superior or deluxe accommodation is available.
  • You will be able to book this excursion either in the UK or on arrival / during your holiday to Goa.
  • Operates any day (subject to availability) except for Friday due to closure of the Taj Mahal.
 
Contact Us

Contact Us

For more information about this excursion, please contact our Goa specialists:

01489 866994 | Email Sales

 

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