Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, is traditionally celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. It is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India at the end of winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month, which usually falls in the later part of February or in March. The tradition of playing with colors on Holi draws its roots from a legend of Radha and the Hindu God Krishna. It is believed that young Lord Krishna was jealous of Radha's fair complexion since he himself was very dark. After questioning his mother Yashoda about the darkness of his complexion, Yashoda, teasingly asked him to color Radha's face in which ever color he wanted. In a mischievous mood, Lord Krishna applied color on Radha's face, hence the tradition of applying color on one's beloved and loved ones is being religiously followed to this day.
Indian revellers enjoy artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.
Indian women, smeared each others faces with color, throw water as they dance to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance after smearing their faces with color and throwing water as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011
Indian women smear each others faces with color as they dance to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indian women and children smear each others faces with color as they dance to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011
Indian girls smear each other's face with colored powder as they celebrate Holi in Mumbai, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Hindus across the country are celebrating Holi, the festival of colors Sunday
Indian children throw colored water at each other as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Mumbai, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
An Indian man, his face smeared with color and glitter, celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
An Indian reveller enjoys artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.
Indian revellers enjoy artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.
A young Indian reveller enjoys artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011
An Indian reveller enjoys artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.


Indian revellers enjoy artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.
Indian women, smeared each others faces with color, throw water as they dance to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance after smearing their faces with color and throwing water as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011
Indian women smear each others faces with color as they dance to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indian women and children smear each others faces with color as they dance to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Allahabad, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011
Indian girls smear each other's face with colored powder as they celebrate Holi in Mumbai, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Hindus across the country are celebrating Holi, the festival of colors Sunday
Indian children throw colored water at each other as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors in Mumbai, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Indians dance as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
An Indian man, his face smeared with color and glitter, celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
An Indian reveller enjoys artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.
Indian revellers enjoy artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.
A young Indian reveller enjoys artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011
An Indian reveller enjoys artificial colored water during "Holi" celebrations in Hyderabad on March 20, 2011.


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