Holi festival, also known as `Festival of Colors`, held on the full moon day of the month Phalgun is one of the major and important festivals of the Indian people.
Held on the full moon day of the month Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar, Holi, also known as the `Festival of Colors`, is one of the important festivals of India, as well as many countries with communities.
The Holi festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring with the hope of a good harvest.
The festival of Holi marks the beginning of spring and celebrates the victory of good over evil.
Holi rituals and traditions
Holi is an ancient Hindi festival with many cultural and religious rituals.
Prepare the Holika funeral pyre
Days before the festival, people start collecting wood and flammable materials for campfires in parks, community centers, areas near temples and other open spaces.
Holika Dahan
On the eve of the festival, usually just in time or after sunset, people gather together and light the pyres.
During the Holi festival, people throw colored powder at each other, making everyone look like a colorful painting.
Have fun with colors
The Holi festival officially begins the next morning and people play with colors.
Traditionally, these colors are blended from natural plants and can therefore be easily removed such as saffron, sandalwood and rose.
People gather in groups to sing and dance while drums and dholaks play.
Other variations of the festival
In the  Braj region near Mathura, north India, the festival can be extended for more than a week.
The end of the festival day
After a day of playing with colors, everyone goes to wash up and wear new outfits to welcome friends and relatives over.
On this day, all hatred is left behind, everyone old and young, women and men, join together in the atmosphere of the festival.
When
Holi festival is held on the full moon day in March every year.
Where
This vibrant festival of colors is celebrated almost everywhere in India.