Holi is probably the most colourful and joyous of all festivals. Celebrated on the day after full moon in March each year, the country goes wild with people running on the streets, smearing each other with brightly hued powders and coloured water. In most regions of India, Holi celebrates the joyful leelas of Lord Krishna and his gopis.

In UP the main ritual on this day centres on a bonfire ceremoniously kindled at the time of the rising moon. This suggests that the festival is also a celebration of the barley harvest.

At Mathura and Vrindavan, Holi is celebrated with great gusto for many days, as these were the places where Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood. People throng the temples to get drenched with coloured water, and consider it a blessing from God.

In Maharashtra and Gujarat, a grand procession of men soaked with coloured water walks through the streets shouting Govinda Aala Re (here comes Govinda). In Manipur, Holi is a six-day festival.