Fire and water

February 10, 2026 - Travel rewards the curious with a journey beyond the destination into the discovery. India’s Holi and Thailand’s Songkran bring colorful fire rituals and watery traditions to life at Six Senses Fort Barwara and Six Senses Yao Noi.

Some journeys give us stories to tell. Others give us moments that stay quietly inside us, shaping how we see the world long after we return home. At Six Senses, we spend a great deal of time thinking about how those moments come to life, whether celebrating Holi in India or Thailand’s New Year.

This year, Holi, the festival of colors, will be celebrated from March 3 to 4, 2026. The celebrations begin on the evening of March 3 with Holika Dahan, also called Chhoti Holi, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The main day of Holi follows on March 4, welcoming the arrival of spring and a season of renewal.

• The Holika Dahan ceremony lights up the skies with a traditional fire ritual. Try your hand at bangle making and block printing with our local artisans and be sure to sample our Indian sweets and refreshing drinks.
• Get swept up in the Grand Celebration of the Festival of Colors, which fills the air with clouds of organic colors and live music. Seasonal delicacies add a delicious touch to the fun.

Recharge at Six Senses Spa, where a soothing Ayurveda treatment melts away the day. Stretch into a yoga session or drift into meditation, letting the calm settle in. Extend your stay to explore the region through the thrill of a jungle safari and local cultural highlights, then let the stars guide you back for a magical dinner within our palace beneath the stars. 

For our detailed Holi itinerary, please contact: reservations-fortbarwara@sixsenses.com

Rituals and renewal at Six Senses Yao Noi

Thailand comes alive in April with Songkran, the Thai New Year and Water Festival. This year, the festivities run from April 13 to 15, 2026, beginning with Maha Songkran on April 13 to mark the end of the year. 

Songkran means “movement,” inspired by Thai astrology when the sun enters a new Zodiac sign. It is also the Water Festival, a time to wash away bad luck and embrace a fresh start with playful water blessings.

At Six Senses Yao Noi, the day begins high above the bay at The Hilltop, where the beat of drums leads a dance parade toward Mai Thai Beach, and you’re part of the action. Water is splashed playfully, poured with care, or offered with a gentle smile. A light touch of white clay on the cheek marks a blessing given sincerely.

As daylight fades, Mai Thai Beach becomes a moonlit gathering place for a Songkran feast. Southern Thai dishes arrive warm and fragrant, made with local ingredients and shared generously. Smoke curls from the grill as seafood cooks over open flame, bringing food, light, starry skies, and sound.

If you’re drawn to a quieter rhythm, the Six Senses Spa Wellness Pavilion offers a Buddhist blessing ceremony. Monks chant softly as water is poured over your hands, inviting reflection and calm. Many guests describe a sense of lightness, as if space has opened for something new.

Here, Songkran is about feeling welcome and gently reminded that renewal can be simple, beginning with shared laughter and a splash of water. 

We look forward to welcoming you.