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In Pics: How the world celebrates Holi

March 12, 2017 10:06 IST

You'll be shocked to know how far the festival of colours has spread around the world.

If you think that Holi is celebrated only in India, you'll be sadly mistaken. 

Scroll down to see how people world over are adding a dash of colour in their lives.

Thailand

Holi across the world

IMAGE: Revellers take part in the annual Holi Rangotsav Festival organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad Association at a university in Bangkok, Thailand. 
The Songkran Festival in Thailand, which falls on the Thai New Year (April 13), is celebrated in a similar fashion too! During the three-day festival, you'll see adults and children walking around with huge water guns, splashing water on each other.
Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Bulgaria

Holi across the world

IMAGE: People react as they are daubed with coloured powder during Holi Festival of Colours in Sofia, Bulgaria. 
The Holi Festival of Colours took place for the first time in 2013 in Bulgaria. In 2016, it took place at the Akademic Stadium in Sofia. It is usually held in the month of June. 
Since then people have been religiously coming together to celebrate with music, street theatre and cultural workshops. Approximately 20,000 people attend this festival every year.
Photograph: Pierre Marsaut/Reuters

 Spain

Holi across the world

IMAGE: Revellers of the Monsoon Holi Madrid festival dance covered in coloured powders in Madrid, Spain. However this festival takes place in the month of August.
Conducted in an open-air venue, the Monsoon Holi Madrid is an explosion of colours.
Photograph: Paul Hanna/Reuters

Belarus

Holi across the world

IMAGE: A man covers a woman with coloured powder during the ColorFest in Minsk, Belarus. 
It is the biggest summer festival in Belarus and is attended by over 20,000 participants.
Photograph: Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters

Britain

Holi across the world

IMAGE: The Holi Festival in London, Britain. Given the large number of Indians residing in London, it is but obvious that the festival of colours is celebrated in a grand way here. The Holi Festival kicks off in the month of July, with people participating in colourful parades. 
The celebrations start a week in advance, with restaurants organising special Holi menu for patrons.  
Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters

Lebanon

Holi across the world

IMAGE: A participant covered in coloured powder attends the Saida in Color event, part of the Sidon International Festival, southern Lebanon. The festival runs for four days and combines culture, art, travel, with some musical and fun activities.
Photograph: Ali Hashisho/Reuters

Greece

Holi across the world

IMAGE: The annual Colour Day Festival in Thermi, near the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece. One of the most famous festivals in Greece, the locals here celebrate with colour and music. Started in 2015, the festival witnesses over 40,000 attendees. 
Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters

Palestine

Holi across the world

IMAGE: A Palestinian reveller takes part in a colours festival organised by Palestinian activists in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The festival started in 2015 and it was a huge success. 
Photograph: Mohamad Torokman/Reuters

Ukraine

Holi across the world

IMAGE: Youth take part in the Festival of Colours in Kiev, Ukraine. It is on this day that part of the Ukrainian capital transforms into a sea of colours with friends and families pelting each other with rainbow coloured paint. 
Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters