• Widows daubed in colours as they take part in Holi celebrations organised by non-governmental organisation Sulabh International at a widows' ashram in Vrindavan in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Traditionally in Hindu culture, widows are expected to renounce earthly pleasure so they do not celebrate Holi. Adnan Abidi / Reuters
    Widows daubed in colours as they take part in Holi celebrations organised by non-governmental organisation Sulabh International at a widows' ashram in Vrindavan in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Traditionally in Hindu culture, widows are expected to renounce earthly pleasure so they do not celebrate Holi. Adnan Abidi / Reuters
  • An Indian man with his face smeared with colours to celebrate Holi. The holiday marks the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP Photo
    An Indian man with his face smeared with colours to celebrate Holi. The holiday marks the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP Photo
  • Indians throw coloured powder in Hyderabad. Mahesh Kumar A. / AP Photo
    Indians throw coloured powder in Hyderabad. Mahesh Kumar A. / AP Photo
  • A man throws coloured powder on men and women during ‘Huranga’ at Dauji temple near the northern Indian city of Mathura. “Huranga” is a game played between men and women a day after Holi, the festival of colours, during which men drench women with liquid colours and women tear off the clothes of the men. Anindito Mukherjee / Reuters
    A man throws coloured powder on men and women during ‘Huranga’ at Dauji temple near the northern Indian city of Mathura. “Huranga” is a game played between men and women a day after Holi, the festival of colours, during which men drench women with liquid colours and women tear off the clothes of the men. Anindito Mukherjee / Reuters
  • Indian villagers throw coloured powder over others during Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of Jaab in Kosi Kalan. Holi, is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. Chandan khanna / AFP Photo
    Indian villagers throw coloured powder over others during Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of Jaab in Kosi Kalan. Holi, is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. Chandan khanna / AFP Photo
  • Indian widows throw coloured powder and flower petals as they dance during Holi celebrations at an ashram in Vrindavan. Chandan Khanna / AFP Photo
    Indian widows throw coloured powder and flower petals as they dance during Holi celebrations at an ashram in Vrindavan. Chandan Khanna / AFP Photo
  • Men dance as coloured powder and water is sprayed on them during Holi celebrations in the northern Indian city of Allahabad. Jitendra Prakash / Reuters
    Men dance as coloured powder and water is sprayed on them during Holi celebrations in the northern Indian city of Allahabad. Jitendra Prakash / Reuters
  • Women cover themselves as men pour coloured water on them during ‘Huranga’ at Dauji temple near the northern Indian city of Mathura. Anindito Mukherjee / Reuters
    Women cover themselves as men pour coloured water on them during ‘Huranga’ at Dauji temple near the northern Indian city of Mathura. Anindito Mukherjee / Reuters
  • Men dance as coloured powder is sprayed on them during Holi celebrations in Allahabad. Jitendra Prakash / Reuters
    Men dance as coloured powder is sprayed on them during Holi celebrations in Allahabad. Jitendra Prakash / Reuters
  • A man dances as he takes part in a colourful procession locally known as ‘Badshah ki Sawari’ as part of Holi celebrations in Beawar. Himanshu Sharma / Reuters
    A man dances as he takes part in a colourful procession locally known as ‘Badshah ki Sawari’ as part of Holi celebrations in Beawar. Himanshu Sharma / Reuters
  • Indian widows throw coloured powder and flower petals as they take part in Holi celebrations at an ashram in Vrindavan. Chandan Khanna / AFP Phot
    Indian widows throw coloured powder and flower petals as they take part in Holi celebrations at an ashram in Vrindavan. Chandan Khanna / AFP Phot
  • Indian devotees daubed with coloured powder gather to glimpse a statue of the Hindu god Lord Krishna during Holi celebrations at the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Chandan Khanna / AFP Photo
    Indian devotees daubed with coloured powder gather to glimpse a statue of the Hindu god Lord Krishna during Holi celebrations at the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Chandan Khanna / AFP Photo
  • An Indian reveller smeared with colours dances to Bollywood tunes during the Holi Festival in Bangalore. Jagadeesh NV / EPA
    An Indian reveller smeared with colours dances to Bollywood tunes during the Holi Festival in Bangalore. Jagadeesh NV / EPA

Inside India: All the best photography from the festival of Holi


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A view of news and daily life on the Indian subcontinent for the week of March 19, 2014.