HOLI HAI! India celebrates festival of colours

The joyous Indian festival of colours Holi is being celebrated in different parts of the country on Thursday and revellers were seen on the streets from morning itself smearing colours on each other and feeding sweets.

Celebration of Holi at Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana in Uttar Pradesh is world famous and it attracts tourists from across the globe.

IMAGE: Devotees celebrate Holi at Govind Devji Temple in Jaipur. All photographs: PTI

The lighting of bonfire -- Holika Dahan was observed on Wednesday evening across the country.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted the nation on the occasion.

IMAGE: People celebrating Holi in Bhopal.

In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee said, the festival symbolizes the vibrant colours of the diverse multicultural society and the spirit of tolerance and harmony that has been the essence of Indian culture and civilisation.

He hoped that the festival of colours will be a joyous expression of the spirit of pluralism and it will strengthen the fraternal bonds among the citizens.

IMAGE: Inflight crew on board a SpiceJet Delhi Goa flight perform a Holi dance post boarding before take off in New Delhi.

Vice President Ansari said that the festival marks the onset of warmer season and victory of good over evil. He hoped that the festival will bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in people's lives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the people on the occasion of Holi.

IMAGE: Tourists celebrate Holi in Kolkata.

In Uttar Pradesh Holi celebrations at Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana is world famous and it attracts tourists from across the globe.

IMAGE: People celebrate Holi in Jammu.

The national capital witnesses a number of traditions to make the Holi in the capital what it is.

IMAGE: A woman plays color with jawans at party office during Holi Milan function in Patna.

In a unique celebration Jaipur holds a grand Elephant Festival on Holi. The elephants are groomed and dressed with dazzling and embroidered velvets rugs and parasols and other grand ornaments like huge elephant jewellery and anklets decked with bells.

IMAGE: Students celebrate Holi in Amritsar.

However, precautions also come in the wake of the festival as certain revellers often get raucous during the celebrations often causing harm.

Several police personnel have been deployed across the national capital to keep an eye on the celebrations.

IMAGE: Girls playing Holi in Ahmedabad.

Meanwhile, Delhi is also on high alert as Central agencies have issued a warning about a former Pakistan army soldier entering India through Punjab with six terrorists last month, and a possible attempt by them to carry out terror attacks during Holi.

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