Indians celebrate Holi festival despite COVID-19 surge
Millions of Indians are celebrating the festival of colors despite a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases and lockdown in several states to slow down the coronavirus resurgence.
Celebrations amid COVID
Indians are celebrating Holi across the country. The festival comes amid an upswing in COVID cases, with authorities registering over 68,000 new infections on Sunday — the highest single-day spike this year. People were seen violating social distancing protocols and coronavirus prevention rules to celebrate the festival. The virus has so far killed 161,843 people in the South Asian country.
Restrictions on gatherings
Several states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, have imposed restrictions on public gatherings after a worrying second surge in virus infections. In Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, state authorities ordered tests for people arriving for Holi celebrations from other states. The tests are being conducted at railway stations, airports and bus stops.
Happy Holi
Holi is a festival of colors. Generously dousing themselves and others in colored powder, people mark it to welcome spring and show thanks for good harvests. It is celebrated on the last full moon day in February or March, especially in the northern, western and eastern parts of the country.
Defeating evil
The Hindu festival also marks the triumph of the spring season over winter and also good over evil. People throw colors at each other and gather around a bonfire to signify the burning of the Holika demon on the eve of the festival.
Weeklong festivities in some cities
Holi is celebrated for several days in some parts of the country. Health authorities have warned that if people don't adhere to social distancing rules, the festival season could reverse India's last year gains against the pandemic.
Love between Lord Krishna and Radha
In Mathura, a city in northern India which is famous as the mythical birthplace of Lord Krishna, Holi is celebrated for 16 days. The beginning of the festival is marked with religious offerings to the Hindu god. After that, the devotees celebrate the festival singing songs about Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.
Ignoring restrictions
During Lathmar Holi, women in Barsana village playfully beat men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Lord Krishna, with wooden sticks. Despite restrictions on mass gatherings, hundreds of people participated in the ritual.
Even outside India
Holi is celebrated not only in India but also in countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Indian migrants to these countries celebrate the festival in the same way as they do in their homeland. Holi celebrations also take place in Germany, but this year all public festivals have been canceled due to the pandemic.