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Feeling Colorful? Celebrate Holi!

Published March 6th, 2020 - 07:37 GMT

Thousands of Indians welcomed spring in a rainbow of colours Thursday, celebrating the annual festival of Holi. The ancient Hindu festival which heralds the end of winter and the victory of good over evil.

But the outbreak of the virus, which has led to 30 positive cases so far in the country, has led the government to caution against mass gatherings.

India is the world's second-most populous nation after China, where the virus first emerged late last year.

Celebrated mainly in India, Nepal and other countries with large Hindu populations, Holi falls on the last full moon of winter.

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A child suffering from cerebral palsy celebrates Holi, the spring festival of colours, during an event origanized by Trishla Foundation, a non-profit organisation for cerebral palsy treatment, in Allahabad on March 6, 2020. SANJAY KANOJIA / AFP

A child suffering from cerebral palsy celebrates Holi, the spring festival of colours, during an event origanized by Trishla Foundation, a non-profit organisation for cerebral palsy treatment, in Allahabad on March 6, 2020. SANJAY KANOJIA / AFP

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

A Hindu devotee lies down as he enters the temple on the occasion of Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

A Hindu devotee lies down as he enters the temple on the occasion of Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees sit in the column of a temple as they celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees sit in the column of a temple as they celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

A Hindu devotee dances during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

A Hindu devotee dances during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

A sadhu (Hindu holy man) gestures to the camera during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

A sadhu (Hindu holy man) gestures to the camera during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees sit in the columns of a temple as they take a break from participating in Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Hindu devotees sit in the columns of a temple as they take a break from participating in Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP

Coloured powder is thrown over villagers during the Lathmar Holi celebration in the village of Barsana on the outskirts of Mathura in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2020. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, usually some days ahead of the Holi festival which is a spring festival, also called 'festival of colours' observed in India at the end of winter season. STR / AFP

Coloured powder is thrown over villagers during the Lathmar Holi celebration in the village of Barsana on the outskirts of Mathura in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2020. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, usually some days ahead of the Holi festival which is a spring festival, also called 'festival of colours' observed in India at the end of winter season. STR / AFP

A child suffering from cerebral palsy celebrates Holi, the spring festival of colours, during an event origanized by Trishla Foundation, a non-profit organisation for cerebral palsy treatment, in Allahabad on March 6, 2020. SANJAY KANOJIA / AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A Hindu devotee lies down as he enters the temple on the occasion of Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees sit in the column of a temple as they celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A Hindu devotee dances during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A sadhu (Hindu holy man) gestures to the camera during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees sit in the columns of a temple as they take a break from participating in Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Coloured powder is thrown over villagers during the Lathmar Holi celebration in the village of Barsana on the outskirts of Mathura in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2020. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, usually some days ahead of the Holi festival which is a spring festival, also called 'festival of colours' observed in India at the end of winter season. STR / AFP
A child suffering from cerebral palsy celebrates Holi, the spring festival of colours, during an event origanized by Trishla Foundation, a non-profit organisation for cerebral palsy treatment, in Allahabad on March 6, 2020. SANJAY KANOJIA / AFP
A child suffering from cerebral palsy celebrates Holi, the spring festival of colours, during an event origanized by Trishla Foundation, a non-profit organisation for cerebral palsy treatment, in Allahabad on March 6, 2020. SANJAY KANOJIA / AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A Hindu devotee lies down as he enters the temple on the occasion of Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A Hindu devotee lies down as he enters the temple on the occasion of Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees sit in the column of a temple as they celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees sit in the column of a temple as they celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A Hindu devotee dances during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A Hindu devotee dances during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A sadhu (Hindu holy man) gestures to the camera during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
A sadhu (Hindu holy man) gestures to the camera during Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees sit in the columns of a temple as they take a break from participating in Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Hindu devotees sit in the columns of a temple as they take a break from participating in Holi celebrations, the spring festival of colours, during a traditional gathering at a temple in Nandgaon village in Uttar Pradesh state on March 5, 2020. Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month. Money SHARMA / AFP
Coloured powder is thrown over villagers during the Lathmar Holi celebration in the village of Barsana on the outskirts of Mathura in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2020. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, usually some days ahead of the Holi festival which is a spring festival, also called 'festival of colours' observed in India at the end of winter season. STR / AFP
Coloured powder is thrown over villagers during the Lathmar Holi celebration in the village of Barsana on the outskirts of Mathura in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 4, 2020. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, usually some days ahead of the Holi festival which is a spring festival, also called 'festival of colours' observed in India at the end of winter season. STR / AFP

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