Tens of millions of revellers in India smeared each other in bright blue hues to mark the Hindu festival of colours, following muted festivities over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Holi is one of the main Hindu festivals and is celebrated with much fanfare across the country to welcome spring and celebrate the eternal love of the mythical deity Krishna and his consort Radha.
Hindus also performed religious rituals and made bonfires, a significant event the night before Holi, to signify the triumph of good over evil.
The festivities had been largely marred by the pandemic in the last two years as restrictions to stop the spread of the virus were in place across the country.
India has recorded more than 43 million confirmed cases and more than 513,000 deaths since January 2020.
Most restrictions have been lifted in recent weeks after a dip in the numbers of new infections, with authorities recording slightly more than 2,500 cases and 149 deaths in the past 24 hours.
After a lull lasting two years, markets were decked out again with various hues, water pumps were selling fast and sweet shops were abuzz with customers.
In cities and towns, lavish feasts were organised and sweets distributed to celebrate the festival.
Many housing societies and residential complexes organised cultural programmes.
“We couldn’t celebrate any festival with family and friends in the last two years but this year, it feels like the old days are back,” Ritam Sarkar, 29, a resident of the New Delhi suburb of Noida, told The National. “It feels very good.”
-
People celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, in Hyderabad, India. AP -
The festival heralds the arrival of spring and, for many Hindus, the triumph of good over evil. EPA -
An Indian widow throws flower petals while participating in Holi celebrations in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. EPA -
The festival is being held for the first time in two years due Covid-19 restrictions. EPA -
Many states introduced restrictions on public gatherings as India battled a surge in Covid-19 infections. EPA -
Holi is held in March on the full moon night known as Phalgun Purnima on the Hindu calendar. EPA -
While the first night is usually dedicated to more sombre rituals, it is on the second day when the vibrant celebrations begin. EPA -
The festival is marked by raucous parties where people throw and smear coloured powder on each other. EPA -
In different parts of India, Holi is adapted to various cultures. Reuters -
Holi celebrations at Priyakant Ju Temple in Vrindavan. AFP -
Police officers smeared with coloured powder walk in the crowd as revellers celebrate Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal. AFP -
A youth dressed as Lord Krishna takes part in Holi celebrations in Kolkata, India. AFP -
A widow sits in a temple as she participates in Holi celebrations in Vrindavan. AFP -
A woman lights incense while offering prayers during the Holi festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal. AP
In the Hindu holy cities of Vrindavan and neighbouring Mathura in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, believed to be the birthplace of Krishna, hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered outside temples where they played Holi with colours and flower petals.
The festival, although celebrated for two days across the country, started a month ago in Vrindavan, where women played Lathmar Holi, loosely translated to “beating with sticks”, as they chased men with sticks — a recreation of Krishna and Radha’s frolics.
Many widows, who are abandoned by their families, also broke Hindu social norms by smearing bright colours on each other. They are traditionally expected to stay indoors as their presence is considered to bring about bad luck.
In Kerala, people celebrated the festival in a traditional manner by splashing water mixed with turmeric powder.
In northern Punjab state, members of a warrior Sikh set called Nihangs observed Hola Mohalla a day before Holi and exhibited their combat skills.
