One of India's oldest festivals, Holi, is traced back to ancient times. References to Holi can be found in Hindu scriptures like the Bhavishya Purana and Narada Purana. 

The religious undertones of Holi reflect vital aspects of Hindu beliefs and the spiritual relationship between humans and divinity. One of the most prominent stories associated with Holi is the tale of Prahlad, the son of Hiranyakashyapa and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. It is a story which symbolises the triumph of faith, devotion, and righteousness over arrogance and evil. A boon made Hiranyakashyap nearly invincible, making him an arrogant Demon king who demanded everyone worship him as God. However, his son Prahlad was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship his father. Angered by his son's devotion to Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill him but succeeded in none. It is believed that one day, his sister Holika had a boon which made her immune to fire. Using this boon, Holika tricked Prahlad into sitting on her lap. However, it is believed that her boon only worked if she entered the fire alone, and as a result, she was burned to ashes. Prahlad emerged unscathed as his unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu protected him. 

Another prominent legend associated with Holi revolves around the mischievous and divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. It is believed that Krishna, envious of Radha’s complexion, was suggested by his mother, Yashodha, to colour her face using colours of his choice. Taking his mother’s advice, Krishna is believed to have smeared colour on Radha‘s face, and this act of love became a symbol of their divine bond.

In other parts of India, Holi is associated with the story of Kamadeva, the God of love. As per Hindu mythology, after the death of Sati, Lord Shiva went into deep meditation and withdrew from worldly activities. To bring Lord Shiva out of his meditation, the Gods sent Kamadeva to shoot his love arrow at Lord Shiva. The arrow disturbed Lord Shiva's state of meditation, and in an angry state, he opened his third eye, reducing Kamadeva to ashes. Kamadeva’s wife, Rati, pleaded with Lord Shiva for his mercy and moved by her devotion, he restored Kamadeva to life. This legend is an ode to the power of love and the sacrifices of Kamadeva for the greater good.

The central ritual for celebrating Holi is Holika Dahan, also known as Chhoti Holi, observed on the night before Holi. It is the ritual which symbolises the burning of Holika and the triumph of good over evil due to Prahlad’s devotion. People gather around the bonfire to perform religious rites, offering grains, coconut, flowers, and sweets into the fire. People gather around, sing folk songs and chant prayers as they seek blessings for protection from evil. It is a significant event in states like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, where the fire is considered sacred, and people often take the ashes home to purify their houses. The playful and iconic aspect of Holi is Rang Panchami. It is the day when people smear each other with coloured powders, known as Gulaal and throw coloured water on each other. It is inspired by the playful colouring of Radha’s face by Lord Krishna, symbolising love and joy. On this day, people gather in open spaces like parks, streets, and courtyards to play with dry natural powder and coloured water. Pichkaris and water balloons are often used to drench friends and family in the water. Singing and dancing to traditional Holi songs, usually accompanied by the beat of dhols, are an integral part of the celebration. Sweets like Malpua, Gujiya, and Thandai are prepared and shared amongst family and friends.

The celebrations of Rang Panchami in Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh last for over a week. They begin with events like Lathmar Holi, where women playfully hit men with sticks while they defend themselves with shields. The royal family of Udaipur hosts an elaborate Holika Dahan ceremony at the City Palace, followed by a procession of decorated horses and the Maharaja. Holi is also celebrated in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Devotional songs such as Phag and Hori are sung as people gather to celebrate the love of Lord Krishna and Radha and the beauty of spring. Temples dedicated to Lord Krishna are exquisitely decorated with flowers and lights as people come together to offer special prayers and be a part of Kirtans and Bhajans. The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan hosts the famous phoolon wali Holi, which is played with flowers instead of colours.

Although known as the festival of colours, the most common colour worn by men and women during Holi is white, as it serves as a canvas for the festival's rituals.

On the night of the Holika Dahan, women are usually seen wearing traditional sarees, salwar kameez or lehengas as they participate in the ritual. They wear sarees made of fabrics like silk and cotton for a luxurious yet comfortable feel. Women prefer wearing sarees and lehengas made of Chanderi, Maheshwari, and Khadi due to their lightweight feel and natural texture. They also adorn their outfits with embroideries like Chikankari and Zari work. Gujarat and Rajasthan also see women wearing Bandhini sarees. Lehengas and sarees are often decorated in floral patterns, representing new beginnings and growth. On the day of Rang Panchami, women prefer wearing white sarees, lehengas, or salwar kameez, ready to be smeared in colour.

The traditional attire for men during Holi is usually light or beige-coloured kurta pyjama, which acts as a canvas for the colours. Kurtas often have minimalistic embroidery or printed patterns depending on their regional roots. In certain states, men are also seen wearing a Dhoti instead of pyjamas with a kurta, making it an ideal choice due to its comfort and elegance. The Dhoti is usually plain white or light-coloured. The Kurta for men is typically embroidered with Chikankari or light Zari work, giving it an aesthetic appeal. Men usually wear shades of red, yellow, blue, and green, symbolising prosperity and the blooming of spring during the Holika Dahan ritual. It is traditionally made from handloom fabrics like Khadi and Chanderi. Exquisite silks are used for their elegant appeal to add a touch of grandeur to the festive atmosphere.