South Asia Comes Alive with Vibrant Holi Celebrations Amid Cultural Festivities

MUMBAI, India – Millions across South Asia celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on March 14, 2025, marking the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Participants smeared each other with bright powders, danced to lively music, and indulged in traditional sweets.

The vibrant festival, a national holiday in India, also sees widespread observance in Nepal, where celebrations span two days. Holi’s origins lie in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the divine love of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha, and is a time for renewal and joy.

In India, revelers dressed primarily in white threw colorful powders at one another, turning the streets into a tapestry of hues. Children from rooftops launched water balloons filled with pigments, while young men sprayed water guns in public parks, creating a lively atmosphere of fun and laughter.

In New Delhi, a park was enveloped in a kaleidoscope of colors as friends playfully splashed each other. “It’s time for fun and frolic,” said Krisha Bedi, a lawyer whose face was decorated in red, green, and blue. “Holi brings everyone together.”

In addition to colored powders, some participants tossed marigolds, roses, and jasmine petals, adding a natural element to the celebration. In Ahmedabad, large crowds gathered at temples where colored water was sprayed from huge pipes as traditional Gujarati music filled the air, creating an ecstatic celebration of culture.

Culinary delights are an essential part of Holi. Vendors sold thandai, a refreshing drink made with milk, cardamom, and dried fruits, and gujia, a flaky sweet pastry filled with nuts and milk curds. Another Holi tradition is bhang, a cannabis-infused drink that is legal under Indian law and traditionally consumed during festival times.

The night prior to Holi, families around India lit large bonfires to symbolize the destruction of evil and the triumph of good. Groups sang, danced, and prayed around the flames, reinforcing the communal spirit of the festival.

In northern towns, women participated in the ritual of “Lathmar Hol,” where they playfully hit men with wooden sticks in a lighthearted display of equal merriment and participation in festivities.

With a blend of vibrant colors, music, and community spirit, Holi serves as a joyous reminder of cultural heritage and togetherness, cherished not only in India but throughout the South Asian diaspora.