Banarasi Holi 2027 in Varanasi
Banarasi Holi celebration in Varanasi is a unique blend of colors, music, and traditions along the ghats, attracting thousands every March.
5 min read
In 2027, Holika Dahan falls on Sunday, 21 March and Holi, the day of colours, on Monday, 22 March. In Varanasi the season starts earlier: Rangbhari Ekadashi at Kashi Vishwanath on Thursday, 18 March, and Masan Holi at Manikarnika Ghat the next day. This festival, known locally as बनारसी होली, fills the ghats and lanes with colour, music and devotion.
Banarasi Holi 2027 Dates
The Essence of Banarasi Holi
Varanasi's Holi is unlike any other in India. On the eve of Holi, bonfires are lit for Holika Dahan at crossroads and neighbourhood squares across the city. The next morning the city erupts in colour, with gulal and water in the lanes of the old city and on the ghats. Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and the streets around Godowlia are the busiest.
For the full calendar of the city's festivals, see our pillar page on Festivals & Events in Varanasi. For the Holika Dahan muhurat, see Holi 2027: date and muhurat.
Rangbhari Ekadashi: Where Kashi's Holi Begins
Rangbhari Ekadashi, the Ekadashi of Phalgun's bright fortnight, falls on Thursday, 18 March 2027. In Kashi it celebrates Lord Shiva bringing Mata Parvati home to Kashi after their wedding. The idols of Baba Vishwanath and Mata Gauri are carried in a palki procession to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and devotees shower them with abir and gulal. For Banaras, this is the day Holi begins.
Masan Holi at Manikarnika Ghat
On the day after Rangbhari Ekadashi, expected on Friday, 19 March 2027, devotees of Shiva play Holi with the ash of funeral pyres at Manikarnika Ghat. Masan Holi expresses the Kashi belief that death is not to be feared. The ghat stays a working cremation ground throughout. It gets very crowded, families are mourning there, and photographing pyres or mourners is deeply disrespectful. Confirm the year's date locally, as it follows the organisers' announcement.
Timeline of Banarasi Holi 2027
Safety Tips for Banarasi Holi
Where to Experience Banarasi Holi
Head to the best ghats in Varanasi for colour play by the river. In the evening, the Ganga Aarti makes a spiritual close to the day. Holi is also the season for thandai and gujiya; see our guide to street food in Varanasi.
Practical Info for Banarasi Holi
Best Time
Arrive by 18 March 2027 to see Rangbhari Ekadashi, and stay through Holi on 22 March.
Entry Fees
Public celebrations on the ghats and streets are free.
Distances
Airport (Babatpur) to the ghats: about 25–30 km, roughly an hour. Godowlia to Dashashwamedh Ghat: under 1 km, on foot.
Emergency
Dial 112 for police and all emergencies, or 108 for an ambulance.
FAQ on Banarasi Holi
When is Holi in Varanasi in 2027?
Holika Dahan is on Sunday, 21 March 2027 and Holi, the day of colours, on Monday, 22 March 2027. Rangbhari Ekadashi is on Thursday, 18 March.
What is unique about Banarasi Holi?
Holi in Kashi begins days early, with Rangbhari Ekadashi at Kashi Vishwanath and Masan Holi at Manikarnika Ghat, before the city-wide colours on Holi day.
What is Masan Holi?
Holi played with the ash of funeral pyres at Manikarnika Ghat on the day after Rangbhari Ekadashi, expected on 19 March 2027. It is a sacred ritual on a working cremation ground, so be respectful.
Where to buy colours for Banarasi Holi?
Stalls in the markets around Godowlia and across the city sell gulal in the days before Holi. Look for herbal colours.
Is Banarasi Holi safe for tourists?
Yes, with sensible precautions: stay in a group, use natural colours, go easy on bhang and protect your phone.
How to reach Varanasi for Holi?
Fly to Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Babatpur, or take a train to Varanasi Junction (Cantt). Book early, as travel around Holi is busy.
What food to try during Banarasi Holi?
Thandai and gujiya are the signature tastes of Holi in Banaras.
