What coronavirus? Revellers across Asia celebrate Holi with colours, dance

The ancient Hindu festival heralds the arrival of spring and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
Published March 9, 2020

People across Asia poured onto streets on Monday to celebrate the festival of Holi with colours, dance and bonfires, even as the deadly coronavirus continued its march around the world.

The ancient Hindu festival heralds the arrival of spring and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

Although COVID-19 largely failed to dampen the spirits of revellers, the number of people to come out and play Holi reduced this year due to risk of the virus outbreak, the Associated Press reported.

In Sindh, members of the Hindu community sprayed red, yellow and silver powder onto each other as special ceremonies were held at temples across the province.

Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month.

A participant holds a tray of coloured powder as students take part in a cultural procession to celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, in Kolkata, India on March 9. — AFP
A participant holds a tray of coloured powder as students take part in a cultural procession to celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, in Kolkata, India on March 9. — AFP

Children celebrate Holi with colours in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. — APP
Children celebrate Holi with colours in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. — APP

Nepalese people throw colours on to each other as they play Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, March 9. — AP
Nepalese people throw colours on to each other as they play Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, March 9. — AP

Revellers dance with their faces smeared in colour powder as they celebrate Holi in Siliguri, India. — AFP
Revellers dance with their faces smeared in colour powder as they celebrate Holi in Siliguri, India. — AFP

A man with coloured powder smeared on his face and head is pictured while celebrating Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal. — Reuters
A man with coloured powder smeared on his face and head is pictured while celebrating Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal. — Reuters

Children take photographs of an effigy depicting the coronavirus, that will be burned during a ritual known as "Holika Dahan", which is part of Holi festival celebrations, at a residential area in Mumbai, India. — Reuters
Children take photographs of an effigy depicting the coronavirus, that will be burned during a ritual known as "Holika Dahan", which is part of Holi festival celebrations, at a residential area in Mumbai, India. — Reuters

Revellers play with coloured powder as they celebrate Holi in Kathmandu on March 9. — AFP
Revellers play with coloured powder as they celebrate Holi in Kathmandu on March 9. — AFP

Indian children spray colours on to a couple riding a motorcycle as they celebrate Holi festival in Gauhati, India, Monday. — AP
Indian children spray colours on to a couple riding a motorcycle as they celebrate Holi festival in Gauhati, India, Monday. — AP

Members of the Hindu community celebrate Holi at a venue in Hyderabad, Pakistan. — APP
Members of the Hindu community celebrate Holi at a venue in Hyderabad, Pakistan. — APP

Children dance and throw coloured powder during Holi celebrations in occupied Jammu, India. — AP
Children dance and throw coloured powder during Holi celebrations in occupied Jammu, India. — AP

Revellers with their faces smeared with colour powder take a selfie as they celebrate Holi in Siliguri on March 9. — AFP
Revellers with their faces smeared with colour powder take a selfie as they celebrate Holi in Siliguri on March 9. — AFP

Students and others take a break during a cultural procession to celebrate Holi in Kolkata. — AFP
Students and others take a break during a cultural procession to celebrate Holi in Kolkata. — AFP

Hindu devotees walk around a bonfire during a ritual known as "Holika Dahan" which is part of Holi festival celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters
Hindu devotees walk around a bonfire during a ritual known as "Holika Dahan" which is part of Holi festival celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters

Indian children spray coloured water as they celebrate Holi festival in Gauhati, India. — AP
Indian children spray coloured water as they celebrate Holi festival in Gauhati, India. — AP

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi with flower petals at a temple in Amritsar. — AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi with flower petals at a temple in Amritsar. — AFP


Header image: Revellers smear coloured powder on each other during Holi celebrations in occupied Jammu, India. — AP