Holi 2025: India comes alive with the festival of colours – BBC.com

Millions of Indians are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours.The spring festival symbolises the victory of good over evil and marks the end of winter.People light a bonfire, smear or spray friends and family members with colour and water, and feast on traditional sweets prepared for the occasion.It’s one of India’s biggest festivals, with millions returning to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones.The festival honours the divine love of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, and boisterous celebrations are held in the northern Indian cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, believed to be their birthplace. Historical texts suggest the festival has long been celebrated to mark good harvests and seek fertile land.Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and FacebookThe Hindu festival of Holi marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring.Teen photographers showcased the backbreaking work done by India’s 400 million labourers.In 11th-Century England, a dark-skinned saint with a promiscuous past became a boundary-breaking cultural and religious icon. A new study is hoping to reassert her place in history.Northamptonshire secure a return for India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from 22 June until the end of the season.Copyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.