Holi, the exuberant Hindu festival celebrated across India and beyond, witnessed millions of Indians reveling in colorful traditions, symbolizing joy, love, and the arrival of spring. Participants joyously smeared each other with vibrant powders of red, green, blue, and pink, accompanied by lively music, dancing, and communal feasting.

Rooted in ancient mythology, Holi commemorates the divine romance between the Hindu deity Krishna and Radha, epitomizing love's triumph and the renewal of life. Throughout the nation, revelers, some adorned in white attire, engaged in spirited color fights, splashing water balloons filled with pigmented water from balconies, and playfully chasing each other with squirt guns in parks.

Indulging in culinary delights is integral to Holi celebrations, with vendors offering traditional treats like thandai, a milk-based beverage infused with dried fruits and sometimes laced with cannabis-derived bhang. While the sale and consumption of bhang-infused products are legal in most parts of India, a few states have imposed restrictions.

Diverse customs characterize Holi festivities nationwide, including the ritualistic lighting of bonfires symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In the lead-up to the festival, unique traditions like "Lathmar Holi" in northern towns saw women playfully striking men with sticks, adding a playful twist to the vibrant festivities, attracting locals and tourists alike.