Millions of people in South Asia marked the Hindu festival of colors, Holi, on Friday by spreading vibrant colored powder and enjoying traditional sweets, music, and dance. The spring celebration is a time for revelry and rebirth, commemorating the triumph of good over evil.
Hindus across India and Nepal observed the festival as a national holiday or two-day event, respectively. Traditionally, Holi honors the divine love between Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha, symbolizing renewal and rejuvenation.
In New Delhi, revelers splashed each other with colored water and pigmented powder, while children launched water balloons filled with colored pigments at passersby. Others danced to music in public parks and on the streets. The festive atmosphere was also marked by food and drink, including traditional beverages like thandai and gujia.
The festival has a rich cultural significance, with traditions such as lighting bonfires to signify good over evil. In some towns, women celebrated “Lathmar Hol” by playfully hitting men with wooden sticks as part of a ritual. The colorful celebrations are also observed among the Indian diaspora in other countries.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/india-holi-2025-hinduism-9219eb69ef71d05cd4aec0afd203949c