New Delhi: Liquor shops across Delhi will remain open this Holi, after the government removed the festival from its list of ‘dry days’, a senior excise department official confirmed on Tuesday.

According to an order issued in January, only Republic Day, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti will be observed as dry days until the end of March.

“This Holi, there will be no dry day, and liquor shops will remain open. The closure of shops will be observed as per the order issued in January,” the official said.

 

In previous years, Holi had been included among the dry days in the capital. Delhi currently has around 750 licensed liquor shops.

The order also specifies that license holders “shall not be entitled to any compensation on account of any changes effected in the above list”. However, the restrictions on liquor sales on dry days do not apply to hotels serving alcohol to guests.

Why Holi is celebrated

Holi has deep cultural and spiritual significance. It represents:

  • The victory of good over evil
  • The beginning of spring
  • Love, unity, and harmony
  • Forgiveness and fresh starts

The festival is also popularly associated with the spirit of “Bura Na Mano Holi Hai”, meaning people should enjoy the playful nature of the celebration without taking minor fun or colour play personally.

Across cities and villages, people smear colours on each other, share festive meals, and wish prosperity and happiness for the year ahead.

How Holi is celebrated

Holi celebrations typically include: Playing with dry colours (gulal), splashing water with friends and family, organising community gatherings and sharing traditional sweets like gujiya.

The festival is especially popular among families, children, and communities who use this day to reconnect and celebrate unity.