Celebrated at the beginning of spring, the Hindu Holi festival sees colourful scenes erupt throughout India and Nepal. The two-day-long celebration, which starts on the Purnima (the day of the full moon), holds mythical importance – that good will triumph over evil. It is also associated with the eternal love of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha.
On the first day, known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, rituals marking the burning of demoness Holika take place. This is followed by the main festival where people celebrate by dancing, singing and smearing each other with coloured powder.
An Indian student takes part in an event to celebrate the Holi festival in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/AFPA man reacts as powder is thrown on him during celebrations for the festival of Holi in AgartalaArindam Dey/AFPA widow covered in coloured powder is seen during the Holi festival at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersA woman dances to celebrate the Holi festival in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/AFPRevellers take part in India's Holi celebrations in Chennai on 24 March 2016Arun Sankar/AFP/Getty ImagesCrowds get showered in a rainbow of colours to celebrate the Holi festival in AllahabadSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty ImagesA woman sings to commemorate the Holi festival at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersPeople covered in coloured powder sit inside a temple during prayers held as part of the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of NandgaonFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPPeople covered in coloured powder sit inside a temple during prayers held as part of the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of NandgaonFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPIndian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers with their faces smeared in coloured powder celebrate Holi at their camp in HumhamaDanish Ismail/ReutersA widow is covered in confetti as she dances during the Holi festival at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersWidows dance during the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersGirls look on as the celebrations for the Holi festival continue in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/AFPWidows take a break during the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersRevellers throw red powder onto villagers who are being sprayed with water during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of NandgaonFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPAn Indian student takes part in an event to celebrate the Holi festival in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/AFPRevellers covered in coloured powder sit inside a temple during prayers held as part of the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of NandgaonFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPWidows daubed in colours take a break during the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersShoppers buy coloured powder for Holi celebrations at a roadside stall in IndiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty ImagesWidows dance in coloured confetti and powder during the Holi festival at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersBikers ride a motorcycle after taking part in celebrations for the Holi festival in SiliguriDiptendu Dutta/AFPA woman takes part in the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar PradeshAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersHindu devotees participate in rituals for the Holi festival at the Nandji Temple in IndiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty ImagesAn Indian student takes part in an event to celebrate the Holi festival in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/AFPMen dance as others throw coloured powder on them during Holi celebrations in KolkataRupak De Chowdhuri/ReutersMen dance covered in coloured powder dance during Holi celebrations in KolkataRupak De Chowdhuri/ReutersA boy, who is covered in coloured powder poses during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of BarsanaFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPMen dance as others throw coloured powder on them during Holi celebrations in KolkataRupak De Chowdhuri/ReutersA girl smiles as others apply coloured powder on her face during Holi celebrations in MumbaiShailesh Andrade/ReutersA woman daubed in colours takes part in the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar PradeshAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersMen covered in coloured powder sit in the street during a Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of BarsanaFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPA woman holds a stick as she takes part in the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersA man stands during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of NandgaonFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPIndian men dance in a street during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of BarsanaFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPA woman caked in pink powder sings as she takes part in the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersA man smeared with colours takes part in Holi celebrations in ChennaiArun Sankar/AFPWomen 'beat' the men during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of BarsanaFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPA man is 'beaten' during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of BarsanaFrancois Xaiver Marit/AFPPeople dance during the Holi celebrations in AllahabadSanjay Kanojia/AFPPeople dance in confetti during the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh districtAnindito Mukherjee/ReutersMany Indians opted for a 'dry Holi' this year over concerns about a worsening water shortage in some parts of the countryRoberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty ImagesThousands take to the streets on Holi to throw coloured powder and water on each other in celebrationFrancois Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople take part in Holi celebrations in AllahabadSanjay Kanojia/AFPIndian shoppers buy coloured powder for the Holi celebrations at a roadside stall in the old city of AllahabadSanjay Kanojia/AFPPeople take part in Holi celebrations in ChennaiArun Sankar/AFPPeople take part in Holi celebrations in AllahabadSanjay Kanojia/AFP
