5 great Holi escapes: Places in India that don’t celebrate Holi

Holi—the festival of colours, laughter, and spontaneous water balloon attacks—is one of India’s most vibrant celebrations. But did you know that some places in India completely give it a miss? While the rest of the country is getting drenched in hues of red, blue, and pink, these regions remain curiously untouched by Holi madness. Some blame ancient curses, some respect age-old traditions, and others simply prefer a more peaceful way of life. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for a Holi-free escape, these five destinations might just be the place for you!

The villages of Kwili and Kurjhan, tucked away in Uttarakhand's spiritual core, value peace over chaos. Why? Because it is thought that Goddess Tripura Sundari, the ruling deity, detests loud noises. Villagers keep Holi celebrations to a minimum because they take this heavenly preference seriously. These settlements celebrate a day of serenity and reflection as the rest of the country bursts into wild revelry, creating a singular spiritual oddity in a land of celebrations.

In the small village of Durgapur in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, Holi is more than just an ignored festival—it’s a forbidden one! Legend has it that over a century ago, the village king’s son met a tragic end on Holi, followed by the king himself. Stricken with grief, the monarch declared that no one in Durgapur would ever celebrate the festival again. Generations later, the villagers still honour this decree, though many sneak off to nearby towns to soak in the festivities.

Holi in Tamil Nadu? Not quite! While the northern states go wild with colour, Tamil Nadu observes Masi Magam instead. This sacred day, believed to be a time when celestial beings descend to earth for a holy dip, is marked with rituals and temple festivities rather than boisterous colour fights. So, while North India turns into a rainbow, Tamil Nadu stays true to its spiritual traditions. Holi celebrations are, however, held at certain destinations like Puducherry for tourists who wish to experience the celebrations.

In Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, Ramsan village has remained eerily quiet on Holi for over 200 years. The reason? A powerful curse. According to folklore, a group of saints were offended by a king’s misdeeds, and in their fury, they declared that the village would never celebrate Holi again. To this day, Ramsan follows this unwritten rule, making it one of the most unusual Holi-free zones in India.

This location is also well-known for its varied indigenous cultures and immaculate beaches, yet it has never truly celebrated Holi. There is no historical link between Holi and the unique customs and celebrations of the nearby indigenous people. Although some islands, influenced by mainland settlers, may hold tiny celebrations, Holi is still mostly an outsider here. This does not mean that there won't be any Holi celebrations.