Holi: Hindus across India and Nepal celebrate festival of colours

People have been celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the festival of colours.

Image source, Reuters

The festival, mainly celebrated in India and Nepal, marks the beginning of spring.

Image source, Reuters

It also symbolises new beginnings.

Image source, Reuters

Holi festival falls on the last full moon of the lunar month.

Image source, EPA

On the day of Holi, people throw liquid and powdered colour over each other. The night before, people light bonfires to signify good triumphing over evil.

Image source, Google

The colours of the powders each have a different meaning. Red is meant to represent love and fertility, yellow is the colour of turmeric, blue is for the Hindu god Krishna and green symbolises new beginnings.

Image source, Reuters

Water based pigments are now being used in the creation of the coloured powder instead of traditional plant based colours including turmeric.

Image source, EPA

Images from the festival show crowds completely covered in colourful paint as they take part in the celebrations.

麻豆社 reporters in Delhi (above) also took part in the festivities.

Image source, Reuters

Aside from India, Holi is also celebrated in Nepal, which has a large Hindu population. A celebration is held in Kathmandu (below). It has also become popular in other countries around the world including the UK.

Image source, EPA

All pictures copyright.