The festival of colors was celebrated with pomp and splendor in India and across the world, with people soaking in the festivities by smearing 'gulaal' on each other and exchanging greetings and sweets.
New Delhi: Holi festivities swept India and the world in a wave of color and joy. From Delhi to Mathura and Australia to the US — not to forget Bollywood celebrities and sports icons — the festival transcended cultural boundaries.
The diaspora in the US brought colours of joy and togetherness. According to the Consulate General of India, New York, “The festivities featured a special Holi quiz with questions from different states of India, along with fun games.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen”.
People joyfully smeared each other with colors while dancing to upbeat music in streets, temples and open spaces. In the entire Braj region — from Barsana and Nandgaon — thousands of revelers threw handfuls of gulaal into the air, creating a vibrant cloud of color. Foreign visitors also joined in the festivities.
Braj ki Holi is an exciting 40 days of festivities, showcasing distinctive events such as Lathmaar, Phoolwali Holi, Huranga and others. In Punjab, the festival of Hola Mohalla started with traditional gaiety at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib. The celebrations were established by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, to showcase Sikh martial skills and promote community unity.
Overall, Holi was celebrated with a blend of traditions, colors, music and rituals, and each region added its own cultural essence, making the festival a vibrant and diverse experience.
