India celebrates Holi, the festival of colours

A man looks on as coloured powder is thrown at his face during Holi celebrations in Mumbai. (Reuters: Francis Mascarenhas)

Today marks the start of Holi, the festival of colours, a Hindu celebration where partygoers throw brightly coloured powders and water balloons at each other. 

After two years of celebrations subdued by the COVID-19 pandemic, Holi celebrations in India are back in full force as revellers hit the streets to join in on the festivities.

A man applies coloured powder on his friend's face during celebrations marking Holi in Mumbai. (AP: Rafiq Maqbool)

Holi is one of the most popular festivals in Hinduism, celebrating the triumph of good versus evil and the arrival of spring in India. 

The festival is celebrated by people across India and around the world. (AP: Rajanish Kakade)

The festival is held over several days, depending on the region, with families praying, singing and dancing around a bonfire on the first day. This symbolises cleansing. 

The brightly coloured powders are thrown and smeared to celebrate the beginning of spring. (AP: Rajanish Kakade)

The next day, participants take to the streets to cover each other in coloured powder while throwing water balloons and firing water pistols.

Partygoers celebrate Holi at a temple premises in Salangpur, in the western state of Gujarat. (Reuters: Amit Dave)

People in the festival sing and dance as they celebrate, while also exchanging traditional delicacies and cold drinks.

Children celebrate Holi in Jammu, India. (AP: Channi Anand)

Gulal, which is what the coloured powder is called, is often made with cornstarch blended with dye.

Traditionally, the dyes were made from natural sources like turmeric and indigo, which are believed to have healing properties.