Holi 2025: India comes alive with the festival of colours

Students celebrate Holi in the Indian capital, Delhi
- Published
Millions of Indians are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours.
The spring festival symbolises the victory of good over evil and marks the end of winter.
People light a bonfire, smear or spray friends and family members with colour and water, and feast on traditional sweets prepared for the occasion.
It's one of India's biggest festivals, with millions returning to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones.
The festival honours the divine love of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, and boisterous celebrations are held in the northern Indian cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, believed to be their birthplace.
Historical texts suggest the festival has long been celebrated to mark good harvests and seek fertile land.

The spring festival marks the end of winter

People smear bright colours on friends and family

Politicians like Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal state, join the festivities

A bonfire is lit during Holi as a symbol of the victory of good over evil

Indians buy traditional sweets for the celebrations

At a temple in Vrindavan, widows celebrate Holi, dancing and applying colours on each other's faces

The fun festival is a firm favourite of many Indian children

A priest dances in north India's Vrindavan city, which holds special celebrations on the day because of its connections with deities Krishna and Radha
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