Holi - the Festival of Colors - The Big Picture

Holi - the Festival of Colors

Last Wednesday (March 11th), people in India and other countries with large Hindu populations celebrated Holi, the Festival of Colors. Holi is celebrated as a welcoming of Spring, and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. What that translates to in action is an enthusiastic dropping of inhibitions, as people chase each other and playfully splash colorful paint, powder and water on each other. People also attend bonfires to commemorate the story of Prahlada, a Hindu figure and devout follower of Lord Vishnu who prevailed over his father and the demoness Holika with the power of his devotion. Collected here are photos from this year's Festival of Colors. (27 photos total)

Men smear colored powder on each other's faces during celebrations of Holi, the Hindu festival of color, in Jaisalmer, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, Wednesday March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Colored powder is thrown on a girl during Holi celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai, India on March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Babu) #

Women tear off the clothes of men as they play huranga in Dauji temple near the northern Indian town of Mathura March 12, 2009. Huranga is a game played between men and women a day after the Holi festival during which men drench women with liquid colors and women tear off the clothes of the men. (REUTERS/K.K. Arora) #

People smear colored powder on each other during Holi celebrations in the northern Indian city of Amritsar March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Munish Sharma) #

Sadhus or holy men with painted faces sing songs as they celebrate Holi on banks of the Ganga in the northern Indian city of Allahabad March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash) #

Students holding paint powder of various colors pose as they celebrate Holi, the Indian festival of colors, in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad March 10, 2009. (REUTERS/Amit Dave) #

Children pour colored water on a tourist during celebrations of Holi, the Hindu festival of color, in Jaisalmer, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, Wednesday March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) #

A girl with a colored face reacts as she is drenched during Holi celebrations in Kolkata March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw) #

A man cleans a huge pan for celebration of "Hola Mohalla" at Anandpur Sahib in the northern Indian state of Punjab March 11, 2009. "Hola Mohalla" or the festival of Nihangs is celebrated during the Hindu religious festival of Holi, marking the congregation of Sikh devotees from all over the country. (REUTERS/Ajay Verma) #

Revellers take part in Holi celebrations in the northern Indian city of Allahabad March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash) #

Girls react after colored powder is thrown on them during Holi celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Babu) #

A boy with a painted face looks into the camera during Holi celebrations in Kolkata March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw) #

A woman reacts as 'gulal' or colored powder is thrown on her during Holi celebrations held for the Bollywood fraternity in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Gautam Singh) #

The eye of a student, smeared in colors, is seen during the celebrations of the Holi, in Chandigarh, India on March 10, 2009. (REUTERS/Ajay Verma) #

Students smear each other with colored powder during the celebrations of Holi, in Kolkata, India on March 9, 2009. (REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw) #

Young men, faces smeared with color, look on as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Calcutta, India, Wednesday March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) #

People smear brightly-colored powder on a man as they celebrate Holi in the northern Indian city of Mathura March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/K.K. Arora) #

Revellers raise their hands as colored water is poured on them during Holi celebrations in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Amit Dave) #

Nihangs, or Sikh warriors, apply colored powder to each other during celebrations of "Hola Mohalla" at Anandpur Sahib in the northern Indian state of Punjab March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Ajay Verma) #

Physically handicapped children celebrate Holi, India's festival of colors at the Society for the Education of the Crippled in Mumbai March 9, 2009. (REUTERS/Arko Datta) #

Indian Hindu women watch a ritualistic bonfire that marks the beginning of Holi in Mumbai, India on March 10, 2009. Hindus across the country light bonfires with old wood, sticks, branches and leaves, as one of the most important ceremonies during the Holi festival, which symbolises the victory of good over evil. (REUTERS/Arko Datta) #

Purple-colored water is sprayed on revellers during Holi celebrations in the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati March 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Utpal Baruah) #

A man holds his son as they watch a ritual bonfire that marks the beginning of Holi in Mumbai March 10, 2009. (REUTERS/Arko Datta) #

People wade through a cloud of colored powder while celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi at Nand Gaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 6, 2009. (REUTERS/K. K. Arora) #

Children with their faces painted look into the camera while they celebrate Holi in the northern Indian city of Allahabad March 10, 2009. (REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash) #

A drunken young man sings as he celebrates Holi in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 11, 2009.(AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi) #

A boy reacts as his face is smeared with colored powder by many others during Holi, in Calcutta, India, Wednesday March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Sucheta Das) #

More links and information

Holi - Wikipedia entry

The story of Prahlada - Hindu figure who prevailed over Holika

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Oh what great pics.....wish i were there....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paAJVwgraN8

Posted by Uppal March 19, 09 09:12 PM

colourful india............

Posted by neenu jose m March 20, 09 01:05 AM

Beautiful!
Wonderful!
Nice capture of colors and the happines!

Posted by Mukund March 20, 09 02:41 AM

awesome pics ... very artistically captured ... simply loved the pic# 14.

Posted by hiren March 20, 09 04:19 AM

YEH INDIYA MERA YAAR , YAHAN ISHQ MOBAT PYAAR.

Posted by SUKHDEEP March 20, 09 05:32 AM

Look How they are enjoying (Pic # 20).
Really, no need to have one million of dollars to be happy.

Posted by kunal March 20, 09 06:18 AM

lovely pictures .

Posted by sukumar March 20, 09 08:07 AM

Riot of colors!!!

Posted by Suyash March 20, 09 12:33 PM

I feel so...dirty.
I bet it would be fun, but I can't help thinking about the mess cleaning up! Fun times, though, it looks like, and so bright!

Posted by Tatts March 20, 09 04:37 PM

India - Qween of Colours
great photps and lots of love to the people of India

Posted by nurit henig March 20, 09 07:04 PM

I a from Zimbabwe, I am very shocked to realize that all my life I lived very close to India I did not know they celebrate like that. Its HUGE and I just felt like I was there because when we were kids in Africa we drenched ourselves with unbeilivable suff mud cow dung you name it. But nothing as clean and festive like that HOLI celebnration. Soon I will be trreavelling to home Arica I definately wanna do it just to experienceit. WOOOOOOOOH!

Posted by Olivia T. Cater March 20, 09 11:00 PM

Peace is overrated. Bring on the WAR .
_+_
ME

Posted by mememe March 20, 09 11:54 PM

A very interesting,wonderful and enjoyable selection.In a way you have successfuly displayed the Holi scenes from East,West,North,South and the Central parts of India. Congratulations!

Posted by sita Ram Goyal March 21, 09 08:41 AM

I love India. I love this people. I lived there for 9 months and felt in love with all this amazing culture.

Posted by Cristiane March 21, 09 11:03 AM

Totally incredible stuff!!

Posted by JC Couto March 21, 09 05:20 PM

Proud to be indian

Posted by Nihil Jain March 22, 09 01:43 AM

Could I please get your job?

Posted by J March 22, 09 01:52 PM

Wonderful colorful pictures! I really like all the motion and movement. I wonder if this powder is any good for the photographer's expensive cameras and lenses?

Posted by Magikarp March 23, 09 06:02 AM

Amazing pics from different regions of INDIA..but still reflecting the same joy n beauty of the festival.I am proud to be Indian, n a part of such wonderful culture.

Posted by Gagan Sharma March 23, 09 11:34 AM

Thank you so much for such excellent pictures. Made me miss my home so much!!

Posted by Tanu March 23, 09 12:53 PM

EAST OR WEST INDIA IS THE BEST!

Posted by kokila March 23, 09 02:44 PM

Oh, I miss being home in Calcutta! Holi is "doljatra" in Bengal. I used to touch the elders' feet with colored powder in the mornings before going out, and run from our scary-looking elder cousins who came to greet us.
You have to put coconut oil on your skin before going out to play Holi; that lets you slip away from attackers' grips and won't let the color stick to your skin. And the playing gets as rough as you want it to get--if you stay among family and friends, it's tame (safe colors, music and sweets) ; outside your own neighborhood, you better watch out :-)

Posted by DB March 23, 09 03:00 PM

Absolutley wonderous.
I just adore the Indian culture, I hope someday I will be able to partake in these festivities.

Posted by victoria March 23, 09 09:56 PM

The photos are amazing. It fills your heart by joy. Thanks

Posted by Sudesh March 23, 09 10:43 PM

Here is the amazing and increadble India and the unity of Indian community

Posted by Vipin Kumar Bhati March 24, 09 02:43 AM

Ha-ha-ha

Everybody poor and happy.

Posted by Labanca March 24, 09 07:40 PM

These are really nice pics!awesome!!

Posted by Kittu March 26, 09 02:12 AM

it's the freedom of every relegion

Posted by Arshad Khan March 26, 09 07:39 AM

Fabulous India...

Posted by didier March 26, 09 08:42 AM

I experienced this amazing festival for myself this year in India - http://www.tanya-n.com/?p=213

I'd definitely consider going back again for it. All the festivals in India are worth experiencing!

Posted by Tanya March 26, 09 09:43 AM

you guys have missed the best part of holi i e.. thandai with bhang, crude form of cannabis, flows like a river ganga ... that s added fun

Posted by Goutham March 26, 09 10:53 AM

Feeling nostalgic. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures...

Posted by debejyo March 26, 09 11:51 AM

No wonder former president Bill Clinton loves to be there.

Posted by Z. Iqbal March 26, 09 03:38 PM

I had a hard time to breath looking at all color on people face and up their noses.

Posted by jai ho March 26, 09 08:43 PM

HOLI ROCKS! COLOURS MAKE IT ALL...

Posted by SHILPA March 26, 09 08:47 PM

Awesome shots :)

Posted by Gracelyne March 27, 09 05:05 AM

Great...reminded me of my Holi days in Delhi...makes me wish I could go back HOME!!!

Posted by Sujatha March 27, 09 11:00 AM

I've always wondered if the colored powder is lead free.

Posted by Jooveria Syed March 27, 09 05:17 PM

I agree with Vimal's comment. (#195) I think this is a beautiful festival in the celebration of life and spring, but it started with only natural pigments that were non-toxic...as an artist to see so many synthetic and chemical as well as toxic natural pigments thrown into people's faces makes me worry for their health. Powdered pigments can be the most damaging way of accidentally inhaling toxic substances and the skin is the body's largest organ. I love India and all of its celebrations and practice many rituals myself, but I agree with Vimal, to keep in the true spirit, one must remain with loving connection with the earth and not use harmful and especially synthetic or chemical compounds in such celebrations.

Posted by Anonymous March 28, 09 11:08 AM

These photos are absolutely brilliant and beautiful! I've looked at them 3 times today...so much happiness and colour! I LOVE IT!

Posted by Mandy March 28, 09 05:33 PM

i agree with ams.

Posted by ams March 29, 09 02:32 AM

looking at this pictures brought back so many wonderful childhood memories....preparing buckets of coloured water the day before...filling water balloons and then throwing them at strangers...and then later as we grew older, riding around town on vespa's, celebrating with friends and sometimes strangers...

i miss those times as i live in the US and half the time when you are here you dont even know what festival people are celebrating back home.
the only plus point is that i live in the bay area in northern california and ever year a holi get together is organises at stanford college by not for profit organisation called Asha....so if your ever in the bay area area around that time of year try to go...its will give you a tiny but happy glimpse into what holi is about....
Happy Holi
http://events.stanford.edu/events/177/17789/
http://ashanet.org

Posted by karishma March 29, 09 03:46 PM

#12 is my favorite...

Posted by Mike March 29, 09 04:14 PM

This existing in this world is beauty

Posted by Javier March 29, 09 06:37 PM

Looks like a different version of Mardi Gras! Fun, cool... on my way,

Posted by Lynn March 29, 09 10:06 PM

Imagine getting high and being in that type of environment. many colors

Posted by Alex March 30, 09 10:44 AM

very gude pottogrfar

Posted by a latheef March 30, 09 12:48 PM

Wonderfull, not only this series, but all the photo series of The Big Picture are very good. Great size and amount. And I say this being a photographer myself. (www.conditionhumaine.nl)

Posted by Ronald March 30, 09 03:43 PM

it'S toooooooooo Gooooooooooood...:):)

Posted by Pradeep Mishra March 31, 09 12:22 AM

I have never ever heard of Holi before, but I am deeply captivated and moved by the photos of this celebration. Good work!

Posted by Ashton March 31, 09 04:20 PM

I LOVE THE WORLD MORE BECAUSE OF THESE PHOTOS :)

Posted by LARA April 2, 09 08:47 AM

These photos bring me joy, seeing people that are happy to be together and celebrating. I hope to be in India one day during this festival, everyone looks so beautiful.

Posted by Mary Meyers April 4, 09 11:37 AM

indias uniquenes in terms of festivals, philosophy,attire, inventions is mind blowing!!!!! good idea to share the pictures. Brings back nostalgic memories!

Posted by shanta dubey April 5, 09 11:29 PM

I am not Hindu, but attended this year's Holi celebration at a temple outside Chicago. It was excellent! The feeling of fun and warmth can't be described - everyone joins in and has a great time. When people started covering us with colors, it felt like a huge hug, and we loved throwing powder on everyone -- the little kids were especially excited to see the non-Indians joining in the fun, and chased us around (the powder is actually colored flour, so it doesn't burn your eyes). The dancing, the laughing, the glorious, colorful mess.
Here is my post on the day:
http://chicagochronicles.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-03-14T22%3A48%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=7

Posted by JoyC April 6, 09 12:08 PM

Feeling so proud that, I belong to this land of color and joy ! Peace to the world !

#144 - Rajeev, India (as a whole) rocks( In spite of people like u) !

Posted by Shan April 6, 09 05:23 PM

Crazy traditions, people are nuts!

Posted by Rich April 7, 09 03:55 AM

people look happy

Posted by yujin April 7, 09 01:57 PM

What a cute festival! I wanna be there.

Posted by everpassenger April 7, 09 01:58 PM

Thank you. This is lovely.
JM

Posted by Anonymous April 7, 09 03:37 PM

These photographs are so lovely,lively,artisitic and well shot.
It relates to the joy and happiness of Holi,where people forget all differences and join together to clebrate this great festival.
All that I could say is simply Amazing....

Posted by M.N.George - Amateur photographer April 8, 09 05:09 AM

MEN, WOMEN, OLDIES, BOYS, GIRLS, KIDS & INFANTS.
PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ENJOY THIS FESTIVAL OF COLOURS & LOVE.
THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ONE OF THE MANY REASONS TO CELEBRATE INDIA !!!
SALAAAM INDIA !!! JAI HO INDIA !!!
--- JAI HIND ---

Posted by KUNTAL RAJ JAIN April 8, 09 07:48 AM

nice pics !

Posted by Bruno Lamanna ( brazil ) April 8, 09 09:04 AM

It reminded me of teenage era and having BHANG with fastivity

Posted by NINA GANDHI April 8, 09 12:21 PM

Hats off to Photographers !!!
For potraying the BEST INDIA...

Posted by priyambika April 9, 09 03:24 AM

1 through 27 were good, but I couldn,t call up the rest!

Posted by William Weihe April 14, 09 06:50 PM

I love the pics, the colors! Thanks for share with us! :)

Posted by Marianne April 15, 09 02:14 AM

They are amazing photos, thanks a lot for sharing them with us!

Posted by Marianna April 22, 09 04:18 AM

They were Great man.
Thanks

Posted by Behzad April 24, 09 01:43 AM

They have a version here in Utah! Same thing. Huge Hindu temple in Provo. Thousands of people go. It's SO fun!

Posted by Keeten April 24, 09 12:37 PM

Wonderful photos...thanks to the person who said it was colored flour so it wouldn't burn people's eyes...but what is the color made from? It would seem to me that any paints or pigments that vibrant would have to be very toxic...Can someone please explain what the color composition is???

Posted by Barbara Hamaker May 2, 09 04:52 PM

amazing

Posted by Kim May 8, 09 08:34 PM

kittenlike friskness happy purr beautiful colours joyous purr purr happy
wonderful fun smile purr happy-kitten-wriggle-on-grass playfulness
oh I want this for the whole world forever forever forever every day
love purr happy purr

Posted by Julian May 19, 09 04:21 AM

I first heard about Holi six months ago and thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. Came across these pictures and I still think that it's the most amazing celebration a person could have ever come up with. I wanted to go to India at some point, but seeing this solidifies that. I have to go in the springtime. I want to be a part of this.

Posted by Banhammer May 23, 09 09:20 PM

really amazing pictures...i have bin in India one time Goa is it's amazing country..

love it

Posted by Maarten May 27, 09 05:04 PM

wonderfullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Posted by beatriz angarita June 2, 09 07:08 PM

isme mujhe pyar mohabbat dekhane ko mili.
maze aa gaye
ladkiyan bahut acchi hain i meen cute.......

Posted by rahul June 9, 09 07:09 AM

sean gravy was there it was so cool

Posted by bay June 17, 09 09:44 AM

NICE ............COOL..................., MARAVILHOSO OBRIGADO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Caruso June 20, 09 06:24 PM

These are amazing pictures, this shows how colorful we Indians are. GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................

Posted by Pawan Sharma June 24, 09 06:59 PM

amazing pictures.
thanx for sharing.

Posted by daphna June 27, 09 07:08 PM

i want to throw a party like this!!! where do i get this paint?!

Posted by ruth June 28, 09 12:42 PM

Beautyful Pictures of this funny Festival of Colours,so another Graffiti...!-)

Posted by Etyl July 1, 09 11:56 AM

i am captivated! what amazing images and what an amazing festival! this should be celebrated in more places, it is so very beautiful and the world could use more color!

Posted by Jennifer July 9, 09 03:59 PM

Mindblowing! Amazing pics! Really refreshing! Beautiful country!

Posted by FelixCostaRica July 9, 09 10:23 PM

Beautyful Pictures.Vivid picture.

Posted by five July 15, 09 02:30 AM

they never bother for their skins :d

Posted by namana July 16, 09 01:14 PM

This is fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing!

Posted by Zoe July 20, 09 03:59 PM

So much joy and happiness. Wonderful !

Posted by Dongedy July 22, 09 01:44 PM

fantastico!!!

Posted by florencia July 24, 09 09:21 AM

what a nice pics its so enjoyable i wish i can attend next time

Posted by tomegato August 16, 09 02:08 AM

that is really cool :) its amazing !

Posted by Georgia August 16, 09 07:32 PM

it makes me smile

Posted by Anonymous August 19, 09 08:19 PM

Posted by Anonymous August 25, 09 11:15 PM

now there's a party

Posted by andrew September 7, 09 06:01 PM

Thank you so much I used some info here for a project!!!!!
THANKS

Posted by Shelly September 27, 09 11:06 AM

I was back in Guyana this year in time for Holi. Totally incredible experience to have had after being absent for over two decades.. Water in the morning and then after mandir services, clouds of colored powder and abhir on the garments. What made it more enchanting, on that day 'Surya Narayana' was at His best. A wonderful glow of silver to complement the occasion. Indra was nowhere to be seen!

Posted by Ram Budhu October 26, 09 03:56 PM

beautiful pictures, really amazing close ups, and i love the one of the boy.

Posted by Michelle Viljoen November 6, 09 11:48 AM

Good collection.

Posted by suranava nandan November 7, 09 04:33 AM

Just excellent!

Great pictures

Posted by Anonymous November 9, 09 10:06 AM

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Estrella November 11, 09 01:08 AM