Holi Hai: The festival of colours is here

The Hindu festival which marks the end of winter and beginning of spring is celebrated all over India.

The Hindu spring festival, also known as 'festival of colours' will be marked on 12th and 13th March this year. Youth celebrating Holi in Vijayawada. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS) 

Holi is celebrated at the approach of the spring equinox, on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

The first day, that is 12th March, is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi. Celebrations start on this day's eve with a bonfire where people gather, do religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil should be destroyed as the bonfire starts. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

The second day, which is on 13th March is known as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan. During this day everyone play, chase and colour one another with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

Traditionally, washable natural plant-derived colours such as turmeric, neem, dhak, and kumkum were used, but water-based commercial pigments are increasingly used. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

Youth play Holi splashing and tumbling in mud. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

Youth play Holi splashing and tumbling in mud. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

Youth celebrating Holi in a new found way with tomatoes, which resembles Tomatina festival. (P Ravindra Babu | EPS)

Youngsters celebrate Holi in Chennai. (Ashwin Prashanth | EPS)

Youngsters celebrate Holi in Chennai. (Ashwin Prashanth | EPS)

Youngsters celebrate Holi in Chennai. (Ashwin Prashanth | EPS)

Youngsters celebrate Holi in Chennai. (Ashwin Prashanth | EPS)

Youngsters celebrate Holi in Chennai. (Ashwin Prashanth | EPS)

Youngsters celebrate Holi in Chennai. (Ashwin Prashanth | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Splash of colour: The festival of Holi was celebrated with gusto by youngsters as well as elderly persons in Chennai on Monday.(D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

Holi celebrations at Sowcarpet in Chennai on Monday.(Sunish P Surendran | EPS)

Holi celebrations at Sowcarpet in Chennai on Monday.(Sunish P Surendran | EPS)

Holi celebrations at Sowcarpet in Chennai on Monday.(Sunish P Surendran | EPS)