The Epic Jaipur, India Tour- Holikan Dahan

Have any of you ever heard of the Holi Festival??? The very first time I heard about it was a year ago. I was skimming through Groupon, (which I used to love to do to look for cool events happening around town) and I came across this event that was celebrating Holi. What I saw was that it was a super colorful event filled with people smiling, laughing and dancing… well that looks amazing!! So I clicked on the promotion and read a little bit more into it…

“Held in India every year in late February or early March, Holi Festival was inspired by an ancient Hindu legend celebrating the triumph of good over evil. The two-day festival also marks the beginning of spring, a season of rebirth and vivid colors. To that end, the revelries erupt in a flurry of bright hues as festival-goers toss colorful powders at one another.

While it is not a two-day festival here, stateside, the celebration takes its cues from the original fest. Attendees stock up on dry powders provided by the temple, then douse their hair, clothes, and cheeks in vibrant pinks, greens, blues, and violets. Multihued, they can roam the grounds interacting with fellow revelers, dancing to live music, taking yoga classes, participating in uplifting mantras, and sampling Indian cuisine. Free hugs!”

Well this just sounds PERFECT!! I don’t think I’ve heard of anything more fun than that! I can’t remember the specific reason why, but I ended up not making it out to the event last year. So when my buddy Drew asked me if I would be interested in celebrating Holi in INDIA this year and WITH the Royal Family, I was like YESSSS, please!!! It’s so crazy to me how LIFE pans out. Coincidence??? I THINK NOT! 🙂

So off we were to Jaipur, India, also known as The Pink City, with the main reason to celebrate HOLI 2018!

Holi is a two-day event so the evening prior to Holi is called Holikan Dahan. It is celebrated by burning Holika pyre which signifies the victory of good over evil, the end of Winter, and is the celebration of love, happiness, and positivity. The event I went to was hosted by the King of Jaipur and it took place in the City Palace. Check out the video as the burning, lit by the King begins…

The energy around was intense yet so freeing at the same time! It was an unforgettable, epic moment!

After the burning, Drew and I checked our names in on the guest list and went into the City Palace to find our friends to celebrate! As I slowly walked through the doors, I was completely dumbfounded. The beautiful decor with the pink walls, to the soldiers standing by their horses as we walked through, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I’ve never seen anything so extravagant in my entire life!

We found our friends and decided to get some drinks. The palace was open bar ALL night, there was a plethora of delicious Indian dishes served buffet style and live music for entertainment. I couldn’t get over how stunning the palace was so I took an abundance of photos all night!

Dinner Time.

I think they were Officials. I just asked them to take a picture with me anyways ;P

Some of the girls

Felt like a true princess this evening!

My friend Drew and me in front of this gorgeous door!

This sweet lady befriended me! <3

Squad GOALS!!!

After dinner was complete, they escorted us to another part of the palace where there was a big stage set up. Live bands played music as we all drank some more and danced the night away!!! What an unforgettable evening! You would think that would be the end, but there’s more… AFTER PAAARRTTTYYYY!

Some of the group decided to call it a night while most of us decided to keep going. Can you guess which group I was in?!? Hehe 😉 Once again, they brought us to another part of the Palace where there was this beautiful lounge, and the unlimited drinks kept flowing. I think I had two more before I threw in the towel. Drew and I then ordered an Uber driver and decided to call it a night. As we drove out of the palace, I saw this beautiful gate that was secluded. NO ONE was around, that NEVER happens in India! I abruptly asked the driver to pull over so that I could take advantage of this photo op!

Now THAT was the end of an unforgettable evening!!!!! I had one of the BEST nights of my life! Check out this recap of exactly how I felt while I was in the City Palace… TRULY BLESSED!!

Please leave me any comments below. 🙂

Join me next week for the celebration of Holi as the bright colors coat your screen!