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India: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours

Monday 10 March 2014 14:48 GMT

Colourful smoke rises as Hindu priests throws coloured powder at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

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1/20In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Colourful smoke rises as Hindu priests throws coloured powder at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

A Hindu priest throws yellow powder at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

A Hindu priest throws coloured garlands at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

A Hindu priest sprays coloured water at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

A man reacts as priests spray coloured water on him during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Hindu devotees daubed in colours gather at the Radhe-Krishna temple to celebrate 'Lathmar Holi' at the village of Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Hindu men from the village of Nangaon throw colored powder at each other as they play holi at the Ladali or Radha temple before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is free for all carnival of colours where everyone plays, chases and colours each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Holi is a spring festival also known as festival of colours, and sometimes festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

A Hindu man from the village of Nangaon teases men from Barsana as they play holi at the Ladali or Radha temple before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

An elderly Hindu man seek alms from devotees outside the Ladali or Radha temple before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana 115 kilometers ( 71 miles) from New Delhi

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Hindu devotees with his faces daubed in colours take part in a vibrant festival 'Lathmar Holi'

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

In a Holi tradition unique to Barsana and Nandgaon villages, men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then 'beat' them with bamboo sticks called 'lathis'

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

A Hindu man pours a bucket of colored water on a woman outside the Ladali or Radha temple before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). The festival date varies every year, per the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in March, sometimes February in the Gregorian Calendar. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Traditionally, washable natural plant-derived colours such as turmeric, neem, dhak, kumkum are used as well as water-based commercial pigments

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Indian women beat men with wooden sticks as they shield themselves during the annual Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana village

In pictures: 'Lathmar Holi' - festival of colours in India

India

Women cover their faces as men throw coloured powder at them during 'Lathmar Holi' at the village of Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

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