29 festive pictures of Holi celebrations around the world

Holi, also known as the festival of colour, was celebrated with zeal and vigour to mark the end of the winter season and to welcome the arrival of spring. The annual event is celebrated with colour, singing, dancing, drum playing and bonfires. Participants chase and cover each other in coloured powder to celebrate the colours of spring. In another ritual, women perform a ‘mock beating’ where they use sticks to beat the men of the local village.



Although the festival is primarily observed in India and Nepal, the celebration has spread to parts of Europe and America. Here we look at 29 pictures of how Hindu devotees celebrated Holi this year.

Indian devotees throw coloured powder during celebrations for Lathmar Holi in Barsana on the outskirts of Mathura in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. PHOTO: AFP

A labourer sifts coloured powder, known as gulal, which will be used during the Hindu spring festival of Holi, Siliguri, India. PHOTO: AFP

A college student reacts as coloured powder is thrown into her face, Agartala, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Visitors blow colour powder during Holi, the Festival of Colours, celebrations inside Rabindra Bharati University campus in Kolkata, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Widows take part in Holi celebrations in the town of Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India PHOTO: REUTERS

Widows take part in Holi celebrations in the town of Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

People take part in Holi celebrations in the town of Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

An Indian worker dries out eco-friendly herbal coloured powder ahead of the upcoming Hindu festival of Holi at a factory on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. PHOTO: AFP

A Hindu devotee holds a water gun as he takes part in the religious festival of Holi in Nandgaon village, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Hindu devotees take part in the religious festival of Holi in Nandgaon village, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Hindu devotees take part in the religious festival of Holi in Nandgaon village, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Girls run for cover as boys spray coloured water on them inside a temple during Holi celebrations in Nandgaon village, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A woman poses for a photograph during Holi celebrations in the town of Barsana in the state of Uttar Pradesh. PHOTO: REUTERS

Hindu devotees take part in the religious festival of Holi in Nandgaon village, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A Hindu devotee displays his inked hand after taking part in the religious festival of Holi in Vrindavan, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A Hindu devotee is covered in coloured powder as he stands outside a temple during the religious festival of Holi in Vrindavan, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A Hindu devotee is covered in coloured powder as he stands outside a temple during the religious festival of Holi in Vrindavan, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Indian Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state. PHOTO: AFP

Hindu devotees walk around a bonfire during a ritual known as "Holika Dahan" which is part of Holi, festival of colours, celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

People take part in Holi, the Festival of Colours, celebrations in Kathmandu, Nepal. PHOTO: REUTERS

Students take selfies during Holi, the Festival of Colours organised by "Colombo Indians", Indians who live in Colombo, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. PHOTO: REUTERS

Men throw coloured water onto another man during Holi, the Festival of Colours organised by "Colombo Indians", Indians who are live in Colombo, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. PHOTO: REUTERS

A boy with his face smeared in coloured powder, is seen during Holi, the Festival of Colours organised by " Colombo Indians", Indians who live in Colombo, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. PHOTO: REUTERS

Boys smear each other with colours, Kolkata, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A boy reacts as he is smeared with colours, Ahmedabad, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

Boys smear each other with colours, Kolkata, India. PHOTO: REUTERS

A reveller is tossed into the air as they celebrate the Holi spring festival in Kathmandu. PHOTO: AFP

Students at an event in Kolkata smear coloured powder in a spirit of celebration. PHOTO: AFP

Thousands of Hindus and tourists gather each year for the festival, India. PHOTO: AFP