Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh):

During Holi, what comes to mind is the joyful sprinkling of colours and the fervent spirit of celebration. Across generations, young and old alike partake in vibrant festivities, engaging in colourful games and merry-making.

However, in the village of Santhekudlur in Adoni mandal of Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, a peculiar tradition has been observed since time immemorial.

In a unique Holi celebration, men undergo a transformation, donning women’s attire. They gracefully drape sarees, embellish themselves with flowers, and adorn their attire with ornate ornaments.

As the villagers gather to commemorate Holi in their distinctive manner, the sight of men adorned in women’s attire, paying homage to the deity “Rati Manmatha” continues to captivate and intrigue, symbolising the enduring spirit of tradition and belief.

Unusual #tradition of #crossdressing for #Holi in #AndhraPradesh#Kurnool#Adoni#SanthekulluruVillage where over several generations, men wear jewellery, flowers, dress meant for women during #HoliFestival & do thanksgiving puja to #RathiManmadulu after fulfilment of wish/prayer pic.twitter.com/Q4PQxECRpY

— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) March 26, 2024

As per locals, it is believed that if ‘Kamadeva’ is worshipped by men in women’s attire on the festival of Holi, then families will be blessed by the Lord with happiness and prosperity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

US President Joe Biden extended Holi wishes on Monday, emphasising that millions of people globally will join together to celebrate the festival, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colours.

Taking to his social media X, US President Biden posted, “Today, millions around the world will join together to celebrate Holi, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colors.”

Today, millions around the world will join together to celebrate Holi, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colors.

Jill and I wish all those observing today’s Festival of Colors joy and happiness. pic.twitter.com/BKDnGNeRRD

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 25, 2024

He, along with first lady Jill Biden, wished everyone to celebrate the festival of colours.

“Jill and I wish all those observing today’s Festival of Colors joy and happiness,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Consulate in New York extended Holi greetings by illuminating the iconic Times Square in New York City with banners of Holi wishes.

“Wishing everyone a colorful and joyous Holi from the heart of New York City. #TimesSquare May the festival of color fill your life with happiness, love and peace,”Indian Consulate in New York posted on X.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in the US also wished everyone a joyous celebration resplendent with colours and music.

In a video shared on X, the Indian Embassy in the US captured the exuberant spirit of Holi celebrations. The video showcased a lively scene at DuPoint Circle, where people immersed themselves in the festivities, dancing joyously while playing with vibrant colours.

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti also extended Holi wishes to the people of India via a video message shared on X.

He said, “I want to wish everybody a very happy Holi. We have this amazing gujiyas, which has a little bit of an American twist with some pistachios in here, beautiful rose water. There’s no better way than to celebrate Holi across the Indo-Pacific together.”

Holi, the festival of colours, is a celebration of liveliness, joy and, of course, familial ties and close bonds. It marks the blooming of spring after a long winter season. On the day of Holi, people come together and smear dry and wet colours on each other.

Many people, especially children, celebrate the festival by playing with water-filled balloons and water guns. As with any other festival, people also treat each other to special Holi delicacies like gujiya.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

US President Joe Biden extended Holi wishes on Monday, emphasising that millions of people globally will join together to celebrate the festival, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colours.

Taking to his social media X, US President Biden posted, “Today, millions around the world will join together to celebrate Holi, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colors.”

Today, millions around the world will join together to celebrate Holi, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colors.

Jill and I wish all those observing today’s Festival of Colors joy and happiness. pic.twitter.com/BKDnGNeRRD

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 25, 2024

He, along with first lady Jill Biden, wished everyone to celebrate the festival of colours.

“Jill and I wish all those observing today’s Festival of Colors joy and happiness,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Consulate in New York extended Holi greetings by illuminating the iconic Times Square in New York City with banners of Holi wishes.

“Wishing everyone a colorful and joyous Holi from the heart of New York City. #TimesSquare May the festival of color fill your life with happiness, love and peace,”Indian Consulate in New York posted on X.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in the US also wished everyone a joyous celebration resplendent with colours and music.

In a video shared on X, the Indian Embassy in the US captured the exuberant spirit of Holi celebrations. The video showcased a lively scene at DuPoint Circle, where people immersed themselves in the festivities, dancing joyously while playing with vibrant colours.

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti also extended Holi wishes to the people of India via a video message shared on X.

He said, “I want to wish everybody a very happy Holi. We have this amazing gujiyas, which has a little bit of an American twist with some pistachios in here, beautiful rose water. There’s no better way than to celebrate Holi across the Indo-Pacific together.”

Holi, the festival of colours, is a celebration of liveliness, joy and, of course, familial ties and close bonds. It marks the blooming of spring after a long winter season. On the day of Holi, people come together and smear dry and wet colours on each other.

Many people, especially children, celebrate the festival by playing with water-filled balloons and water guns. As with any other festival, people also treat each other to special Holi delicacies like gujiya.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Creating reels has become a daily routine for many. Whether it’s dancing, modelling or any other type of video, people on the internet are always game for anything and everything, consistently making headlines. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more bizarre, a video has emerged online, going viral, and leaving social media users outraged. In the clip, three people are seen riding on a scooter, two of whom are girls and one is a boy. The video captures the two girls engaging in provocative behaviour and playing Holi while riding pillion on the two-wheeler. 

In the video, the two girls exchange colourful powders on each other’s cheeks while a Hindi film song plays in the background. The boy, on the other hand, is seen driving the scooter, while another person shot the video. Social media users have become outraged after watching the clip and are demanding action against the viral video.

Take a look below: 

#HoliCelebration@uptrafficpolice@Uppolice@dtptraffic
गाड़ी नंबर – (UP16C – X0866)
बिना हेलमेट इए ड्राइविंग ट्रिपिंलिंग और स्टंट किया जा रहा है आपसे अनुरोध है इन लोगो पर करएवाही करें @zoo_bear@WasimAkramTyagi@007AliSohrabpic.twitter.com/FpJXzGWtfr

— Shiekh Mohd Aqib (@Mohd_Aqib9) March 25, 2024

After the video went viral, it caught the attention of Noida traffic police as well. Responding to the X post, the cops informed that a fine of Rs 33,000 has been issued against the concerned vehicle.

“Taking cognizance of the above complaint, action has been taken against the concerned vehicle for violation of traffic rules by issuing e-challan (fine Rs 33000/-) as per rules,” the Noida Traffic Police tweeted in Hindi. 

उक्त शिकायत का संज्ञान लेते हुए संबंधित वाहन के विरुद्ध यातायात नियमों का उल्लंघन करने पर नियमानुसार ई-चालान (जुर्माना 33000/- रुपए) की कार्यवाही की गई है।
यातायात हेल्पलाइन नं0- 9971009001 pic.twitter.com/8iOBgEESgW

— Noida Traffic Police (@noidatraffic) March 25, 2024

Meanwhile, internet users slammed the people involved in the act in the viral clip. “what message will these two girls, indulging in such obscene acts, convey to society? Even children watch these videos,” wrote one user. “They are in an inabriated condition.Need to take immediate action against such obscene behaviour in full day light in the guise of Holi,” said another. 

“Under the guise of Holi, the supposedly cultured girls have spread obscenity, the influence of Delhi Metro has reached Greater Noida, should we call this vulgarity or the ghost of reels?” commented a third, referencing another viral video of two girls engaging in provocative behaviour aboard Delhi Metro. 

Also Read | “We Can Not Stop Him”: US Billboard Shames Man’s Cheese Consumption

The previous video showed the girls, dressed in traditional Indian attire, applying coloured powder to each other’s faces before escalating to more intimate gestures, including rubbing their faces together and lying closely. The incident caught the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) attention. The officials suggested the possibility of deep fake technology being used to create the content.

New Delhi:

Ayodhya’s grand Ram temple today witnessed its first Holi celebration since its inauguration in January this year. A large number of devotees gathered early in the morning to partake in the festivities of offering colours and sweets to the Ram Lalla idol adorning the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. 

The temple priests engaged in a ceremonial playing of Holi, accompanied by the traditional offerings of abir and gulal as part of the Raag Bhog rituals. Additionally, an array of 56 dishes was presented before the idol as prasad.

“Ramlalla is celebrating his first Holi after his consecration in the temple. His charming idol was decorated with flowers, gulaal has been applied on the forehead. On this occasion, the idol of Ram Lalla wore a pink dress,” said Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of the temple.

The temple priests sang Holi songs along with the devotees and danced in front of the idol in celebration.

The festivities extended beyond the temple’s confines. Devotees could be seen gathering in huge numbers outside the temple’s premises to celebrate Rangotsav as Holi fever gripped the ancient city of Ayodhya. 

To regulate the massive influx of crowd, adequate security measures were put in place for a smooth darshan for devotees.

The Ram Temple was thrown open to the public on January 23, a day after the much-celebrated consecration ceremony, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by a host of politicians and celebrities. 

The construction of the Ram Temple was initiated after a prolonged legal battle that concluded with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the temple in November 2019. Prime Minister Modi, addressing the nation, had declared the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol as the advent of a new era.

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her greetings to citizens on the eve of Holi and said the festival promotes a feeling of love, unity and brotherhood among people.

“On the auspicious occasion of Holi, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad,” the President said in a message on Sunday.

The President upheld the spirit of the Holi festival in her message and said, “Holi is a vibrant and joyous festival, which infuses hope and enthusiasm into our lives. Various colours of Holi symbolise the diversity of our country. This festival promotes feelings of love, unity and brotherhood among the people. This festival also inspires us to strengthen our cultural heritage.”

“May this festival of colours bring happiness into everyone’s life and motivate all of us to work towards nation-building with new zeal,” she added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings to the country’s citizens on the eve of Holi on Sunday. In a post on social media platform, X, PM Modi said, “I extend my Holi wishes to all my fellow citizens of the country.”

“May this traditional festival, ornamented with colours of affection and harmony, bring new energy and enthusiasm into all your lives,” he said.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his greetings to the people on the festival of colours, Holi, wishing happiness, prosperity, harmony and new energy in everyone’s life.

“Best wishes to all the countrymen for the great festival of colours and joy, Holi. May this festival of happiness bring colours of prosperity and harmony into the lives of all of you and become a medium for the transmission of new energy,” Amit Shah posted from his official X handle.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, too, extended his warm greetings to fellow countrymen on the occasion of Holi.

“Best wishes to all of you on the festival of Holi. May this festival of colours infuse joy, enthusiasm and new energy into your life. Happy Holi!” Rajnath Singh posted from his handle on X.

Holi is celebrated with as much fervour in the country as it is overseas. The festival is preceded by a ritual of lighting bonfires called ‘Holika Dahan’, signifying the burning of the demon Holika.

The festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is believed to have spent a considerable amount of time in a region called Braj in Uttar Pradesh. It not only replicates the spirit of Holi but also impersonates the timeless love of Radha and Krishna.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The colourful and vibrant festival of Holi is being celebrated across the country. As one of the most important Hindu festivals in India, Holi marks the end of winter and is a two-day-long festivity. This year, Holi is being celebrated on March 25 and Holika Dahan was celebrated a day before.

Here are the LIVE updates on Holi celebration:

Jammu and Kashmir:

The jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) along with its Women’s Wing smeared their fellow comrades with colours as they celebrated Holi at the International Border on Sunday.

The civilians also joined in the celebrations on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated the festival of colours, Holi, with soldiers in Leh.

He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps Lt Gen Rashim Bali.

Speaking to jawans and other senior defence personnel on the occasion, the Raksha Mantri said, “If Delhi is our national capital, Ladakh is a capital of bravery and valour. Visiting you all to celebrate Holi makes this one of the happiest moments for me. Siachen is no ordinary land. It is an unshakeable symbol of India’s sovereignty and determination. It represents our national determination,” he said.

“I have said it many times before and will say it again: it is our duty to take care of you, your children, your parents…your family. We are always ready for that. I do not need to tell you here that with the same diligence with which you are working for this country by dedicating your body and mind, our government is also working for the betterment of our armed forces,” Rajnath added.

The Defence Minister requested Army Chief Manoj Pande to establish a new tradition by telling the Air chief and Navy chief that whenever a festival comes around, they should ring in the celebrations the day before with soldiers and armed forces personnel deployed at the frontiers and protecting the country’s sovereignty in the face of grave adversities.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the country’s citizens on the eve of Holi on Sunday.

Holi, a festival celebrated with as much fervour in the country as it is overseas, will be marked on March 25, Monday, this year.

The festival is preceded by a ritual of lighting bonfires called Holika Dahan, signifying the burning of the demon Holika.

The festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is believed to have spent a considerable amount of time in a region called Braj in Uttar Pradesh.

It not only replicates the spirit of Holi but also impersonates the timeless love of Radha and Lord Krishna.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Tel Aviv:

Over 2,000 Indians and Israelis celebrated Holi and the Jewish festival of Purim in the “flea market” of Tel Aviv enjoying Indian dance, classical music, dresses, henna, calligraphy in Hindi and Indian Chai.

Tel Aviv municipality in association with the Indian mission in Israel celebrated “India in flea market” to celebrate the two festivals which more or less fall on the same day every year, or at the most with a difference of a day before or after.

The event drew thousands of Indian enthusiasts, including Israelis of Indian origin and Indian students, from all over the country.

The Indian festival of Holi, also known as the ‘festival of colours’ and the Jewish festival of Purim, when people wear colourful dresses, share many commonalities.

“Both festivals are celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. Both festivals are celebrated around the same time- the arrival of spring and the end of winter. Both festivals are celebrated outdoors where communities come together, dance, sing, eat and make fun in a spirit of togetherness”, a participant noted.

The Flea market in Yafo wore a festive look dressed up in an Indian ensemble in various ways.

The event was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission, Rajiv Bodwade, and Rafi Shushan, CEO of “Mishlama leyafo” from the Tel Aviv Yafo Municipality.

“In association with #TelAvivYafo Municipality, the Embassy of India celebrated the ‘India in Flea Market’ event on the occasion of #Holi and #Purim festivals. Over 2000 visitors enjoyed Indian dance, classical music, Indian dresses, henna, calligraphy in Hindi & Indian Chai”, a post by the Indian mission on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, said.

Indian enthusiasts enjoyed activities such as dance workshops with songs about the festival of Holi, presentations narrating the significance of Holi and celebrating the common spirit of happiness and unity that Purim and Holi share.

There was also a classical Indian instrumental music performance, ‘Trikundram’, by three Israeli artists who played Bansuri, Tabla and Sitar, and an Indian classical dance performance by Israeli artists.

Henna stalls attracted a lot of women visitors who enjoyed Mehndi drawing on their palms. Calligraphy stalls writing names of visitors in Hindi also was a hit among youngsters.

A dress corner was also set up showcasing Indian costumes to the visitors.

The visitors dressed up in Indian costumes and enjoyed taking photographs at the selfie points and drank Indian Chai giving the event a sense of Purim celebrations.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mathura:

The famed ‘lathmar’ Holi of Mathura began on Monday with much fanfare and no case of injuries among men, who undergo a ritual beating by women during its course.

According to District Magistrate Shailendra Singh, the lathmar Holi was celebrated in Mathura’s Barsana under heavy security and ambulances on standby to tend to the wounded.

“No untoward incident took place despite the presence of several lakh pilgrims,” the District magistrate said.

Dr Manoj Vashishtha, the in-charge of a local community health centre, said nobody came to the centre for treatment after the festival.

Ritually, men from Nandgaon try to drench the Barsana women, who then reciprocate by attacking the men with sticks, Mr Goswami, one of the revellers, said.

The entire ‘mela’ area has been divided into five zones and 12 sectors for the week-long celebration, which will culminate with Holi on March 25, officials said.

To avoid traffic congestion, 78 barriers and 45 parking slots were set up in Barsana.

Twenty-nine barriers and 12 parking areas were set up in Nandgaon.

Four watchtowers in Barsana and two in Nandgaon were set up to ensure proper movement of traffic, officials said.

The administration had deployed 150 buses to ferry people to Nandgaon or Barsana for the festival.

To prevent drowning, the administration had also barricaded four ponds in Barsana and one in Nandgaon.

According to officials, 12 temporary mini-hospitals, equipped with 13 ambulances, for Barsana and 4 ambulances for Nandgaon were kept on standby.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)