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India splashes colours amidst coronavirus scare to celebrate Holi

Online Desk

Updated:10th Mar, 2020 at 4:40 PM

The festival is one of the most colourful occasions in the multicultural Indian calendar. IN PIC: A child during Holi celebrations in Chennai. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Known as the festival of colours, this occasion marks the arrival of spring and is a time to celebrate peace and friendship. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Despite COVID-19 scare, foreign tourists also celebrated Holi in many parts of India by smearing colours, exchanging sweets and dancing to Bollywood numbers. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Holi on Tuesday, saying let the festival break barriers that divide people. IN PIC: Another scene from Chennai. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Last week, the Prime Minister had announced, after recommendations from experts, that he would not participate in any Holi events amidst the coronavirus crisis. IN PIC: People celebrating Holi in Hyderabad. (Photo | Vinay Madapu, EPS)

'Wishing everyone a Happy Holi! The festival of colours, Holi is a celebration of spring and fraternity in our society. May it bring peace, joy and prosperity to everyone's life,' tweeted President Ram Nath Kovind. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

In many places, colours were replaced by turmeric, sandalwood powder and flowers to celebrate an 'Organic Holi.' (Photo | D Hemanth, EPS)

Some of them also claimed that going organic would help protect them from coronavirus. (Photo | D Hemanth, EPS)

On the day of Holi, people smear colours on each other, blurring divides and highlighting unity in diversity. IN PIC: A scene from Karnataka's Hubballi. (Photo | D Hemanth, EPS)