Posted on by Vivek Dubey

India’s vibrant Holi celebration paints the country in a riot of colour

Festival of Colours: Millions of Indians celebrated the Hindu Holi festival on Monday. The air was filled with festive music and a joyful kaleidoscope of red, green, blue and pink powder. (AP Photo)
Spring Arrival: Holi, widely known as the festival of colours, marks the arrival of spring. It is celebrated in India, Nepal and other South Asian countries, as well as by the diaspora. (AP Photo)
Divine Love: The festival celebrates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha. It signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, embracing positivity and letting go of negativity. (AP Photo)
Colourful Celebrations: People across the country, some dressed in all white, celebrated by drenching each other in coloured powder. Others flung water balloons filled with coloured pigment from balconies. (AP Photo)
Festive Music: Some used squirt guns to chase down fellow revellers in parks. Others danced on the streets to music blaring from speakers. (AP Photo)
Traditional Beverages: Food and drink are a big part of the festivities. Vendors sold Thandai, a traditional beverage prepared with milk, dry fruits and sometimes laced with cannabis. A shopkeeper sells local snack prepared with Bhang or cannabis, during Holi festivities in Bikaner, in the Indian state of Rajasthan (AP Photo)
Bhang Tradition: Another tradition that marks Holi is Bhang, a paste made by grinding the leaves of the cannabis plant. It is used in drinks and snacks and is connected to Hinduism, particularly to Lord Shiva. (AP Photo)
Bonfire Ritual: In parts of India, people lit large bonfires the night before the festival. This commemorates the triumph of good over evil. (AP Photo)
Varied Traditions: Holi traditions vary across India. Last week, hundreds of women in two northern towns celebrated by playfully hitting men with wooden sticks in response to their teasing. (AP Photo)
Lathmar Holi: This ritual, known as the “Lathmar Holi” or Stick Holi, attracts a large number of visitors. It forms an integral part of the preparations for the festival. (AP Photo)