Millions of people are celebrating the Holi festival today, marking the official arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.
What does it celebrate?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Known as the festival of colour, the holiday celebrates the end of winter and the advent of spring.
There are several Hindu legends connected to Holi, including the victory of Lord Vishnu over demon king Hiranyakashipu and his sister Holika.
Some believe the tradition of staging playful paint fights to mark the festival was inspired by the Hindu god Krishna, who threw coloured water over gopis, or milkmaids, as a mischievous young boy.
How is it celebrated?
Some families hold religious ceremonies during the festival, but for many Holi is “more a time for fun than religious observance”, says the BBC.
During the first part of the festival, known as Holika Dahan, bonfires are lit to commemorate Holika’s death and celebrate good conquering evil. The ash from the fire is believed to bring good luck.
The following day, devotees take to the streets to sing, dance and throw coloured powder and water at each other. In the evening, friends and family gather for food and further celebrations.
Although a Hindu festival, Holi is celebrated by Indians across the country and is a great equaliser, according to CNN.
“Children can douse elders with water, women splash men with colour, and the rules of caste and creed are briefly forgotten, with everyone taking part,” says the news website.
Festivities in the UK are likely to be dampened by the extreme weather conditions this year, however. Neasden Temple, in northwest London, which normally hosts one of the country’s largest Holi celebrations, has already announced that it is cancelling this year’s event owing to heavy snowfall.
-
Four royal holiday hotspotsThe Week Recommends Follow in the footsteps of royalty and experience the charm of some of their most popular getaways
-
The rise of the lost luggage auctionIn the Spotlight Lost luggage hauls are attracting millions of views online
-
Stunning beaches in ScotlandThe Week Recommends Scenic spots that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
