(RNS) Hindus celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, to mark the arrival of spring using brightly colored powder, flowers, song and dance. This beautiful scene occurs all over India — and recently, around the world — welcoming spring.
Photos courtesy of REUTERS
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The face of a widow is seen daubed in color after she took part in the Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization Sulabh International at a widows’ ashram at Vrindavan in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2015. Traditionally in Hindu culture, widows are expected to renounce earthly pleasure so they do not celebrate Holi. But women at the shelter for widows, who have been abandoned by their families, celebrated the festival by throwing flowers and coloured powder. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
Widows daubed in colors take part in the Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization Sulabh International at a widows’ ashram at Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 3, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Ahmad Masood
Hindu devotees wait to go inside the Bankey Bihari temple during Holi celebrations in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 1, 2015. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
Widows daubed in colors chant religious hymns as they dance during the Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization Sulabh International at a widows’ ashram at Vrindavan in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
A widow daubed in colors dances as she takes part in the Holi celebrations organized by non-governmental organization Sulabh International at a widows’ ashram at Vrindavan in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 4, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
