Holi Hain!: Around India in 30 Festive Photographs

One of the most playful festivals in our calendars, Holi is celebrated with pomp and fanfare not only in India, but also other countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal. Marking the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil, the festival is a cheeky and often hilarious occasion full of joy. The heartwarming images we showcased just yesterday in ‘Breaking Archaic Traditions, Widows Take Part in Holi Celebrations in Vrindavan & Varanasi’ of widows who are taking part in the festival for the first time in decades convey much more than words possibly can.
Many environmental concerns have been raised about the amount of water that is wasted in these celebrations, and let’s face it: they have a point. While we definitely suggest staying away from the hoses and buckets of water this year, there’s no need for that to dampen the euphoric spirit and the deep-seated sense of community that Holi has always been associated with. Water balloons, questionable thandai, handfuls of gulaal and a lot of running for your life - what’s there not to love? While we have the history of the festival and a very special feature on a certain ‘nectar’ of the festival (yes, this is definitely about the questionable thandai) that is a traditional part of Holi coming up next, we have here 30 curated images capturing the very essence of Holi for you, in all its vibrant glory.
Scroll on to bask in the revelry.

A man smears the face of a woman with colors during celebrations marking Holi in Mumbai, India, on March 17, 2014. The holiday, celebrated mainly in India and Nepal, marks the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

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A tourist takes part in Holi celebrations in Kathmandu on March 16, 2014

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A man reacts as colored water is splashed over him during Holi celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai on March 17, 2014

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People celebrate Holi in Kathmandu on March 16, 2014. Holi marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Nepal

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An Indian woman shakes her head covered in colored powder during Holi in Mumbai, India, on March 17, 2014.

A boy sits in a plastic container filled with colored water during Holi celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai on March 16, 2014

A man drenches himself in colored water during celebrations of Holi, also known as the festival of colours, in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, on March 8, 2012. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated across the country.