Millions of people across South Asia marked Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on Friday, covering each other in brightly colored powder, dancing to festive music, and indulging in traditional sweets.
The raucous spring festival is a vibrant celebration marking the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil. In India, Holi is a national holiday, while in Nepal, it is observed over two days. The festival is also celebrated in other South Asian countries and by the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Rooted in Hindu mythology, Holi commemorates the divine love between the god Krishna and his consort Radha, symbolizing renewal and joy.
Dressed predominantly in white, revelers hurled colored powder at one another, while children flung water balloons filled with vibrant pigments from rooftops and balconies. In public parks and on streets, groups of young men wielded water guns, chasing passersby, as others danced to blaring music.
In New Delhi, a rainbow haze settled over a park where friends doused each other in pigmented powder and colored water.
“It’s time for fun and frolic,” said Krisha Bedi, a lawyer, whose face was streaked with red, green, and blue powders.
In some regions, people replaced colored powders with marigolds, roses, and jasmine petals.
Massive celebrations unfolded in Ahmedabad, where thousands gathered at temples to be sprayed with colored water from large pipes while dancing to traditional Gujarati music.
Food and drink are integral to the festivities. Vendors across India sold **thandai**, a traditional milk-based beverage infused with cardamom and dried fruit, and **gujia**, a deep-fried pastry stuffed with sweetened milk curds and nuts. Another tradition associated with Holi is **bhang**, a cannabis-infused drink linked to Hindu deity Shiva, legally available at government-licensed shops.
Bonfires lit up the night before Holi in many parts of India, symbolizing the destruction of evil. Families gathered around the flames to sing, dance, and offer prayers.
In two northern towns, hundreds of women took part in **Lathmar Holi**, or “Stick Holi,” playfully striking men with wooden sticks in a ritual reenactment of a Hindu legend.
