A man daubed in colored powder poses for a picture at a temple during “Lathmar Holi” at village Nandgaon, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 10, 2014. Reuters/Adnan Abidi
Brightly colored powders are flying across India as 2014 Holi celebrations begin.
Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, doesn’t officially start until Monday, but people in some areas, such as villages in Uttar Pradesh in the north, have already begun throwing colored powder and dyed water into the air for Lathmar Holi.
Holi’s origins can be traced to Hindu legends, including the tale of Radha and Krishna, along with the coming of spring.
According to the legend, the dark-complexioned Krishna was jealous of Radha’s fair complexion. One day, after Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about the color difference between him and Radha, his mother suggested he color Radha’s face whatever color he wanted. Taking Yashoda’s advice, he colored Radha’s face to make her look like him.
To this day, traces of the playful prank played by Krishna on Radha can be seen all over India as women, men and children toss the brightly colored powders and dyed water all over each other in celebration of Holi.
Take a closer look at some of the early Holi and Lathmar Holi celebrations in photos below.
Hindu devotees throw colored powder at each other as they celebrate “Lathmar Holi” at the village of Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 9, 2014. Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee
Hindu devotees throw colored powder at each other as they celebrate “Lathmar Holi” at the village of Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 9, 2014. Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee
A boy sprays colored water inside a temple during “Lathmar Holi” at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 10, 2014. Reuters/Adnan Abidi
A Hindu devotee with his face daubed in colours looks on while taking part during “Lathmar Holi” at the village of Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 9, 2014. Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee
Colored beam of rays are seen as Hindu priests (unseen) throw colored powder at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 13, 2014. Reuters/Ahmad Masood
Hindu priests throws colored powder at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 13, 2014. Reuters/Ahmad Masood
A Hindu devotee reacts as priests (unseen) spray colored water on him during Holi celebrations at the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 13, 2014. Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee
A Hindu priest throws colored powder at the devotees during Holi celebrations at Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 13, 2014. Reuters/Ahmad Masood
Hindu devotees daubed in colours sing hymns during Holi celebrations at the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, March 13, 2014. Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee