Holi, also known as the festival of colours, was celebrated with great fervour across the country today. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.
People across the country smeared each other with colours, exchanged greetings and savoured sweets on the occasion. Revellers hit the streets, dancing to popular songs and beat of drums as children ran with sprinklers and water balloons to celebrate the festival.
The three-day long Shri Krishna Doul Mahotsav will end today. Starting on Wednesday,the mohotsav showcased satriya customs and traditions.
Holi or 'phakuwa' is celebrated enthusiastically in Majuli. In every xatra echoes the sound of 'taal' and 'nam kirtan' offering prayers to Shri Krishna and Mahapurush Sankardeva.
The festival of colours was celebrated in the national capital with people smearing colours on each other and exchanging greetings and sweets.From morning, revellers thronged streets smearing faces with coloured powder and children hurled water-filled balloons from balconies and rooftops to celebrate Holi, which heralds the advent of spring.People hugged each other wishing "Happy Holi" as roads were filled with groups singing and dancing to the accompaniment of drums.
In Punjab and Haryana, colours of all hues and the smell of gulal pervaded streets as people of all ages celebrated Holi. In Uttar Pradesh, celebrations began early this morning at temples in Mathura, the birth place of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan where people chanted bhajans.
In West Bengal, thousands of people took part in Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan. Large number of devotees also gathered at temples across the state on the occasion.
In Nepal, the festival was celebrated in Kathmandu valley and several hilly districts yesterday. Holi is also known as Fagu Purnima in the country. The festival is being celebrated today in Terai region.
Reports of Holi festivities were also received from abroad. In Sri Lanka, several programmes were organised in capital Colombo and other parts of the country. This year, the lead was taken by Indian cultural center under the High Commission of India to organise programmes and make people celebrate Holi in a grand fashion.
