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March 23, 2011 |
Holi: Festival of Colors
Every year, Hindus greet the turn of winter into spring with a splash of color -- in some areas, a geyser of color. They call their celebration the festival of Holi, and Hindus across India and throughout the world share prayer, camaraderie, special food, and a general sense of mischief as they douse each other in dyes and colored water. The large festival has roots to many Hindu legends associated with the triumph of good over evil. One of the best-known stories tells the tale of the demoness Holika, who tried to kill Prahlad, the son of the demon king Hiranyakashyap, for refusing to worship his father. Instead, Holika is consumed in flames, which is replayed each year with bonfires and effigies, before the celebrants break out the hues and cries of the festival. - Lloyd Young (43 photos total)

Hindu devotees have painted much of the town of Vrindavan -- and themselves -- red on March 21. The town, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the cultural and religious centers of Hinduism and the site where one of the central figures of the religion, Krishna, grew up, according to tradition. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images) #

Hindu devotees toss colors as they pray during Holi celebrations at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan on March 19. Holi, also called the Festival of Colors, is observed in India at the end of winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month, which usually falls in the latter part of February or in March. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images) #

Hugs and smiles are also part of the celebration at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. The Holi festival of colors draws its roots from a Hindu legend involving the courtship of Radha and the religious figure Krishna. It is believed that young Lord Krishna was jealous of Radha's fair complexion since he himself was very dark. After questioning his mother Yashoda, on the darkness of his complexion, Yashoda, teasingly asked him to color Radha's face in which ever color he wanted. In a mischievous mood, Lord Krishna applied color on Radha's face, hence the tradition of applying color on loved ones. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images) #