Today is the Holi festival in India where Hindus celebrate the beginning of spring, the god Krishna and the god Vishnu killing the demon, Hiranyakashipu. The event is marked by the beating of drums, people smearing each other with green, yellow, and red colors, and exchanging sweets in public.
Hindu devotees with offerings celebrate with the deity Shri Krishna during the Holi festival in Kolkata, India. During the event, it is usual for people to drench themselves in colored water.
The Holi festival is also celebrated to mark the beginning of spring and celebrate the divine love of the Hindu god Krishna with his consort Radha.
Bollywood and other celebrities organized bashes for friends and posted photos on social media.
“Wishing you all a happy and colourful Holi!” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
People also made bonfires with logs of wood in open spaces to commemorate the victory of good over evil – Hindu god Vishnu defeating and killing the demon, Hiranyakashipu.
Holi traditions and festivities vary across India. In two northern towns, hundreds of women celebrated last week by playfully hitting men with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as part of a ritual.
And as with most celebrations and drinking, the Holi festival in India is not an exemption. According to The Times of India newspaper, New Delhi reported a record sales of alcohol on Monday, after a massive 2.6 million bottles were sold on a single day, compared with an average of 1.1 million bottles.
See photos from the event below: