Wed | May 27, 2026

With a kaleidoscope of colours, the Hindu festival of Holi signals the arrival of spring

Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 9:43 PM
Pause
Villagers from Barsana and Nandgaon smeared with colors sing and dance as they participate Lathmar Holi at Nandagram temple in Nandgoan village, south of New Delhi, India.
AP
Villagers from Barsana and Nandgaon smeared with colors sing and dance as they participate Lathmar Holi at Nandagram temple in Nandgoan village, south of New Delhi, India.
People play with colours as they celebrate Holi in Jammu, India.
AP
People play with colours as they celebrate Holi in Jammu, India.
A child plays with a water gun to celebrate Holi, the festival of colours, in Chennai, India.
AP
A child plays with a water gun to celebrate Holi, the festival of colours, in Chennai, India.
Hindu devotees cheer as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, at the Lord Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad, India.
AP
Hindu devotees cheer as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, at the Lord Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad, India.
A woman has her face smeared with coloured powder as they celebrate Holi in Chennai, India.
AP
A woman has her face smeared with coloured powder as they celebrate Holi in Chennai, India.
1
2
3
4
5

INDIA (AP)

Millions of Indians on Friday celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi, dancing to festive music, exchanging food and drink, and smearing each other with red, green, blue and pink powder, turning the air into a joyful kaleidoscope of colour.

Widely known as the Hindu festival of colours, Holi marks the arrival of the spring season in India, Nepal and other South Asian countries, as well as the diaspora. It celebrates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha, and signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, embracing the positive and letting go of negative energy.