NEW DELHI — Millions across South Asia celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, by covering each other with vivid powders, dancing to festive tunes, and savoring traditional sweets. The vibrant spring festival marks the end of winter and the victory of good over evil, a national holiday in India, while Nepal observes it for two days. Holi also sees observance in other South Asian regions and among the Indian diaspora.
Holi’s origins are rooted in Hindu mythology, celebrating the divine love between Krishna and his consort Radha and symbolizing renewal. Typically, people wear white to be covered in multicolored powders, children fling colored water balloons from high places, and water guns are used in parks and streets. In New Delhi, a colorful mist enveloped a park as friends splashed each other with pigments.
In Ahmedabad, thousands participated in a large temple gathering, being sprayed by colored water from massive pipes and dancing to traditional Gujarati music. The festivals also feature various foods and drinks like thandai, gujia, and bhang (a drink made with cannabis). Many also light bonfires the night before Holi to symbolize the burning of evil.
A unique celebration occurs in two northern towns where women playfully hit men with wooden sticks as part of a ritual called Lathmar Hol, or Stick Holi.
Source: https://time.com/7268132/millions-celebrate-holi-hindu-festival-of-colors/
