The dark side of India’s colourful Holi celebrations... experiencing the festival as a female traveller

The Hindu festival is a riotous explosion of colour, creating stunning images of joy and happiness – but amid the beauty, Tamara Davison finds that the celebrations can leave women feeling vulnerable and intimidated

During Holi, buckets of dyed water, flowers and colourful powder are thrown over crowds ( Jack Lawes)

A vibrant scene begins to unfold as I near my destination. Indians drenched in every colour of the rainbow catch my eye in increasing numbers. Red, blue, and orange hues are splashed across their faces, clothes and hair. I was in the right place.

Each March, India erupts in a colourful cloud of chaos to mark the major Hindu holiday of Holi. Every region celebrates Holi uniquely; some take the explosion of colours to extremes.

Among such places are Mathura, Vrindavan, and neighbouring towns in the state of Uttar Pradesh. I planned to visit them all.