Indian Hindu devotees cheer as colored powder and water is sprayed on them by a Hindu priest during celebrations marking Holi at the Swaminarayan temple in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Holi also marks the advent of Spring season. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) — Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

In pictures: Everything turns technicolour as revellers across Asia celebrate Holi

The ancient Hindu festival marks the welcoming of spring and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
Published March 20, 2019

Holi, also known as the 'festival of colours', 'festival of spring' or the 'festival of love' was celebrated across Asia and other parts of the world on Wednesday.

The ancient Hindu festival marks the welcoming of spring and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

Although the festival originated in the Indian subcontinent, it has been adopted worldwide owing to the presence of the diaspora.

Festivities include the throwing of coloured paint, powder, and water on revellers.

It is also a day to forgive and forget, marking a new beginning for people. People pay or forgive debts and start anew with each other.

Children belonging to the Hindu community colouring each other to celebrate Holi in Larkana, Pakistan, on March 20, 2019. — APP
Children belonging to the Hindu community colouring each other to celebrate Holi in Larkana, Pakistan, on March 20, 2019. — APP

A group of children make use of water guns to shoot coloured water at one another as they celebrate Holi in Larkana, Pakistan, on March 20, 2019. — APP
A group of children make use of water guns to shoot coloured water at one another as they celebrate Holi in Larkana, Pakistan, on March 20, 2019. — APP

A group of girls from the Hindu community in Hyderabad, Pakistan, celebrating the festival of colors gather together for a selfie on March 20, 2019. — APP
A group of girls from the Hindu community in Hyderabad, Pakistan, celebrating the festival of colors gather together for a selfie on March 20, 2019. — APP

Girls pose for a photo after smearing each other's faces with paint in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on March 20, 2019. — APP
Girls pose for a photo after smearing each other's faces with paint in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on March 20, 2019. — APP

A function is held in Hyderabad, Pakistan, to mark the festival of Holi on March 20, 2019. — APP
A function is held in Hyderabad, Pakistan, to mark the festival of Holi on March 20, 2019. — APP

An Indian street vendor sells colored powder a day ahead of Holi, the festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. — AP
An Indian street vendor sells colored powder a day ahead of Holi, the festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. — AP

A man has coloured powder smeared on his face during celebrations marking Holi in Allahabad, India, March 20, 2019.  — AP
A man has coloured powder smeared on his face during celebrations marking Holi in Allahabad, India, March 20, 2019. — AP

Hindu devotees raise their hands daubed in colours as they pray on a temple premises during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters
Hindu devotees raise their hands daubed in colours as they pray on a temple premises during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters

Indian heir to Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple Lalji Maharaj Shri Vrajendraprasdaji Maharaj (C) sprays coloured water on Hindu devotees as they celebrate the Holi festival at the Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple in Ahmedabad on March 20, 2019. — AFP
Indian heir to Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple Lalji Maharaj Shri Vrajendraprasdaji Maharaj (C) sprays coloured water on Hindu devotees as they celebrate the Holi festival at the Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple in Ahmedabad on March 20, 2019. — AFP

Hindu devotees pray as they are sprayed with colours by a priest on a temple premises during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India, March 20, 2019. — Reuters
Hindu devotees pray as they are sprayed with colours by a priest on a temple premises during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India, March 20, 2019. — Reuters

A Nepali reveller poses covered in coloured powder during the celebration of the Holi festival in Kathmandu on March 20, 2019. — AFP
A Nepali reveller poses covered in coloured powder during the celebration of the Holi festival in Kathmandu on March 20, 2019. — AFP

Students with their faces smeared in coloured powder dance as they celebrate Holi at a university campus in Chandigarh, India, March 20, 2019. — Reuters
Students with their faces smeared in coloured powder dance as they celebrate Holi at a university campus in Chandigarh, India, March 20, 2019. — Reuters

Revellers dance as they celebrate Holi, organised by the Hindu community at a park on March 20, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. — AP
Revellers dance as they celebrate Holi, organised by the Hindu community at a park on March 20, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. — AP

Myanmar's Hindu children soak in a pool of coloured water as they celebrate the Holi festival in Yangon on March 20, 2019. — AFP
Myanmar's Hindu children soak in a pool of coloured water as they celebrate the Holi festival in Yangon on March 20, 2019. — AFP

A Hindu boy smiles after being sprayed with coloured water during the Holi festival in Yangon on March 20, 2019. — AFP
A Hindu boy smiles after being sprayed with coloured water during the Holi festival in Yangon on March 20, 2019. — AFP

Nepali revellers celebrate with coloured powder during Holi festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 20, 2019. — AFP
Nepali revellers celebrate with coloured powder during Holi festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 20, 2019. — AFP


Header: Indian Hindu devotees cheer as colored powder and water is sprayed on them by a Hindu priest during celebrations marking Holi at the Swaminarayan temple in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. — AP