Live
play
  • News
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Coronavirus
  • Features
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • More
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Climate
    • Science & Technology
    • Sports
    • Podcasts

In Pictures

Gallery

In pictures: India’s festival of colours

Millions in India and Nepal take part in Holi, marking the beginning of spring.

Holi is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Hindus across India and Nepal.
Holi is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Hindus across India and Nepal.
By 
Showkat Shafi
27 Mar 2013
facebooktwitterwhatsapp

Holi, the festival of colours celebrated in South Asia, marks the beginning of spring.

One of the biggest festivals celebrated by Hindus in India and Nepal, the celebrations witness people smearing and splashing different colours and water on their friends and loved ones. The festivities continue for two days in most places, but in the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, they last for a week.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born in Mathura, and the festival shows the pure love between him and Radha. It is said that Krishna often complained about Radha’s fair complexion, and would playfully colour her face, hence the tradition of playing with colours during Holi.

Every year, thousands of people from around the world come to the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan to see the grand celebrations that take place in various temples. In other areas, people also go to the houses of their loved ones to celebrate the holiday, while children enjoy a day off from school.

The celebrations witness people smearing and splashing different colours and water on their friends and loved ones.
The celebrations witness people smearing and splashing different colours and water on their friends and loved ones.
Advertisement
Students in the city of Vrindavan, about
140 kilometres from New Delhi. Thousands of people walk barefoot for miles to join Holi
revelry at the famous Banke Bihari temple.
Students in the city of Vrindavan, about 140 kilometres from New Delhi. Thousands of people walk barefoot for miles to join Holi revelry at the famous Banke Bihari temple.
Children enjoy the festival as they play with
colours and water guns.
Children enjoy the festival as they play with colours and water guns.
Holi also marks the beginning of spring.
Holi also marks the beginning of spring.
Children enjoy a day off from school on Holi.
Children enjoy a day off from school on Holi.
The festivities continue for two days in most places.
The festivities continue for two days in most places.
Advertisement
But in the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Holi celebrations last for a week.
But in the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Holi celebrations last for a week.
Every year, thousands of people from around the world come to the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan to see the grand celebrations that take place in various temples.
Every year, thousands of people from around the world come to the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan to see the grand celebrations that take place in various temples.
A boy poses like Krishna
during Holi celebrations.
A boy poses like Krishna during Holi celebrations.
A little girl rides on a tractor with her father
as they take part in the colourful festival.
A little girl rides on a tractor with her father as they take part in the colourful festival.
Revelers dance to songs and beats of the dhol, a kind of drum.
Revelers dance to songs and beats of the dhol, a kind of drum.
Holi is celebrated by all age groups.
Holi is celebrated by all age groups.
The festival of Holi is known for spirit of energy, unity and love. Two women apply color on each other during Holi celebrations.
The festival of Holi is known for spirit of energy, unity and love. Two women apply color on each other during Holi celebrations.

More from Gallery

In Pictures: A year on, justice eludes victims of Delhi violence

In this February 28, 2020, photo, a man gestures as a senior Delhi police officer speaks to a group of Muslims ahead of Friday prayers near a heavily-policed fire-bombed mosque in New Delhi. [Altaf Qadri/AP Photo]

In Pictures: Ecuador prison riots leave dozens dead

Soldiers stand guard outside the CRS Turi prison in Cuenca. [Fernando Machado/AFP]

In Pictures: Ecuador Indigenous people march against ‘vote fraud’

An Indigenous supporter of Ecuadorean presidential candidate for the Pachakutik movement, Yaku Perez, takes part in a march towards the National Electoral Council in Quito. [Rodrigo Buendia/AFP]

In Pictures: US pandemic toll – one year, half a million lives

A victim is taken on a stretcher into the United Memorial Medical Center after going through COVID testing on March 19, 2020, in Houston, Texas, as the disease began spreading throughout the US. [David J Phillip/AP]
Most Read

Archeologists unearth intact ancient Roman chariot near Pompeii

The chariot's first iron element emerged on January 7 from the blanket of volcanic material filling the two-storey portico [Handout/AFP]

‘Hold MBS accountable’: World reacts to US Khashoggi report

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a columnist for the Washington Post newspaper who had been critical of the Saudi government [File: Omar Shagaleh/Anadolu]

Myanmar army fires UN ambassador after anti-coup speech

Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun pleaded for international action in overturning the military coup in his country [United Nations TV via Reuters]

LeBron James hits back at Zlatan in athlete activism spat

James has been a force for social change in the US, focusing much of his attention on police brutality and racial injustice [File: Phil Long/AP Photo]
  • About
    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Community Guidelines
    • Work for us
    • HR Quality
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Apps
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
  • Our Channels
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
  • Our Network
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners
Follow Al Jazeera English:rssinstagramyoutubetwitterfacebook
logo
© 2021 Al Jazeera Media Network