Holi 2024: What is the Hindu festival and why is it celebrated?

The Hindu festival of Holi is celebrated by millions of people around the world.

It's known as the festival of love, colours and spring and people throw coloured powder and water at each other to mark the occasion.

The two-day festival, which first began in India, also celebrates the Hindu god Krishna and the legend of Holika and Prahlad, which symbolises good overcoming evil.

The festival marks the beginning of spring, and it celebrates new life and love.

It is celebrated on the last full moon of the lunar month. This year that falls on 25 March.

Colourful celebrations

On the first day people light bonfires and may also throw food like popcorn, grains, coconut and chickpeas into the fire.

The second day is when the famous paint fight takes place.

Around the world there will be huge crowds gathering in the street to throw paint at each other.

The coloured powder, which is called gulal, is thought to be a reference to Krishna throwing coloured water at people when he was a boy.

People from all backgrounds get involved in the fun and it is a chance for families to play tricks on each other.

As well as coloured powder, people sometimes throw water balloons and squirt water at each other with water pistols.

People also give presents and eat special food as part of the celebrations.