Stay safe during Holi in India

Personal safety during Holi — mainly for women. Holi can be chaotic, so take extra care and avoid heading out into the streets alone during the celebrations. Dear women travelers, Holi is approaching (12-13 March this year), bringing celebrations across India. It is no secret that India is usually busy and crowded, but the usual crowds are nothing compared with those during the festivities. Add alcohol and drugs to the mix, along with a general atmosphere of chaos and abandon. Given the repeated questions from women in various India travel groups about Holi, I feel it is important to discuss the risks facing women travelers. Female tourists are common targets for assault, for reasons you can probably guess. The phrase "Bura Na Mano, Holi Hai" (don't take offense, it's Holi) reflects a widespread attitude among men that behavior normally considered unacceptable is allowed. During my time in India backpacking groups, I have come across countless horror stories about the festival: from supposedly "minor" incidents of a random man deciding it is acceptable to grab a woman's breast (even when she was accompanied by a man), to a group of young men on motorcycles surrounding another woman traveler and violently assaulting her, to horrific cases such as a traveler who went missing for 5 days, during which she was abducted and raped in circumstances still not entirely clear to the authorities. Together with the survivor of that last incident, I decided to put together some tips on how *we believe* women should approach Holi: *Avoid places you know will be packed with Indian revelers, such as Mathura or Varanasi (especially relevant given how many people recommend celebrating there without any caveats). *Wear clothing that covers as much as possible (including a scarf over your face and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the colored powder). *Try to go out into the streets only with men you know and trust (ideally locals). *Consider playing Holi (throwing colored powder) in an enclosed space where you feel safe, with a small group of people you know (a courtyard, rooftop, etc.). *Remember: places with a dubious reputation at the best of times will usually be much more dangerous during the festival. *When you see recommendations from men about the festival (activities, places, etc.), remember that their experience was likely different from what a woman might experience. Most importantly, of course, have fun and enjoy yourselves :) Wishing you a safe celebration!

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