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HomeAsiaIn images: How India is commemorating the celebration of colour Holi

In images: How India is commemorating the celebration of colour Holi

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Dynamic colors filled the air as countless individuals throughout South Asia commemorated Holi, the Hindu celebration of colour that symbolizes the arrival of spring in India.

Observed on the last moon day of the Hindu luni-solar month of Falgun, Holi is marked by jubilant events, lively throwing of coloured powders, standard music, dance, an abundance of sugary foods, and providing prayers to divine beings.

A street vendor sells water guns and coloured powders ahead of Holi festival in the northeastern state of Guwahati
A street supplier offers water weapons and coloured powders ahead of Holi celebration in the northeastern state of Guwahati (AP)
Staff carry Gujiya, a sweet dish that is specially made for Holi, at a sweet shop in the national capital Delhi
Personnel bring Gujiya, a sweet meal that is specifically produced Holi, at a sweet store in the nationwide capital Delhi (AP)

The origin of Holi is soaked in legends informing of the success of righteousness over evil. The most popular story is that of devil king Hiranyakashipu and his kid Prahlad. Hiranyakashipu, who was given near-immortality by the gods, grew conceited and required everybody praise him. Nevertheless, Prahlad stayed a devout fan of Lord Vishnu, defying his dad’s command.

Irritated, Hiranyakashipu outlined to eliminate Prahlad with the aid of his sibling Holika, who had an advantage that made her unsusceptible to fire. Holika fooled Prahlad into sitting with her on a burning pyre, however her benefit stopped working and she died in the flames while Prahlad, safeguarded by his steady commitment to Vishnu, emerged unharmed.

The story is honored through the routine of Holika Dahan, which includes the lighting of bonfires on the eve of Holi to symbolise the damage of evil.

A Hindu priest named Sanju jumps out of a fire during a Holi ritual known as 'Holika Dahan’ at Phalen village near the northern city of Mathura
A Hindu priest called Sanju leaps out of a fire throughout a Holi routine referred to as ‘Holika Dahan’ at Phalen town near the northern city of Mathura (Reuters)
Hindu devotees walk around a bonfire during a ritual known as 'Holika Dahan' on the outskirts of the western city of Ahmedabad
Hindu followers walk a bonfire throughout a routine referred to as ‘Holika Dahan’ on the borders of the western city of Ahmedabad (Reuters)

Another popular misconception associates Holi with the lively romance of Lord Krishna and his accompaniment Radha. The legend goes that dark-skinned Krishna was jealous of Radha’s reasonable skin, so his mom playfully recommended he smear colours on Radha’s face to remove the distinction. This legend is commemorated through the lively throwing of colours throughout Holi, symbolising love.

A devotee of International Society for Krishna Consciousness celebrates Holi at a temple on the outskirts of the northern city of Amritsar
A follower of International Society for Krishna Awareness commemorates Holi at a temple on the borders of the northern city of Amritsar (AFP through Getty)

Northern India, especially Uttar Pradesh state, commemorated the special variation of the celebration called Lathmar Holi, which sees females playfully beat males with sticks and the males protect themselves with guards, re-enacting the legend of Krishna and Radha.

Women playfully hit revellers with sticks as a traditional ritual during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in Mathura in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh
Females playfully struck revellers with sticks as a standard routine throughout the Lathmar Holi events in Mathura in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh (AFP through Getty Images)
Indian widows celebrate Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Indian widows commemorate Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh (EPA)

In the eastern state of West Bengal, Holi accompanies Basanta Utsav, a celebration started by poet Rabindranath Tagore that commemorates spring with tunes, dances, and cultural efficiencies.

People celebrate Holi by applying color to each other at a local market in the eastern city of Kolkata
Individuals commemorate Holi by using color to each other at a regional market in the eastern city of Kolkata (EPA)
Social activists during Holi celebrations organised by the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a collective of sex workers, in the redlight area of Sonagachi in Kolkata
Social activists throughout Holi events arranged by the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a cumulative of sex employees, in the redlight location of Sonagachi in Kolkata (AFP through Getty)

In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the two-day Masaan, or crematorium, Holi along the banks of the Ganges river draws in countless visitors from throughout India and beyond. Throughout this special event, followers and ascetics use ashes from funeral pyres to each other’s faces, honouring both the cycle of death and the Hindu god Shiva.

Hindu devotees gather to celebrate 'Masaan' or 'Bhasma' Holi along the banks of the Ganga river in the northern Varanasi city
Hindu followers collect to commemorate ‘Masaan’ or ‘Bhasma’ Holi along the banks of the Ganga river in the northern Varanasi city (AFP through Getty)
Hindu devotees cheer as they celebrate Holi at the Lord Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad
Hindu followers cheer as they commemorate Holi at the Lord Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad (AP)
Indian tribals dance to traditional folk tunes as they celebrate Holi, also known as Rajwadi Holi, in Nandurbar in the western state of Maharashtra
Indian tribals dance to standard folk tunes as they commemorate Holi, likewise referred to as Rajwadi Holi, in Nandurbar in the western state of Maharashtra (EPA)

While Holi is referred to as the celebration of pleasure and togetherness, numerous females have actually spoken up about harassment under the guise of lively colour-throwing. Events of groping, unsuitable touching, and spoken harassment have actually been reported, especially in congested public areas.

A video shared by Indian star Tushar Shukla revealing males tossing colours and water at females while making salacious remarks stimulated outrage on social networks. “Today I went to play Holi in Barsana. Whatever was terrific, it was enjoyable,” he asks in the video. “However I have a concern: do just women go to play Holi in Barsana? Why are they straight targeted in such an indecent way? Guy likewise come, so why not engage with them?”

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