Holi Spring Festival of Colors

Burst of magenta powder during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Splash of colored water during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Smiling faces streaked with color during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Crowd throwing pink and red powder during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Clouds of colored powder in the air during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Revelers covered in colored powder during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Man on a motorbike in the street during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Yellow powder thrown over the crowd during Holi, the festival of colors in India

Woman in white by a carved door during Holi, the festival of colors in India

This week Hindus around the world celebrated Holi, the Festival of Colors.

Holi is a popular springtime celebration observed on the last full moon of the lunar month. Participants traditionally throw bright, vibrant powders at friends and strangers alike as they celebrate the arrival of spring, commemorate Krishna's pranks, and allow each other a momentary freedom -- a chance to drop their inhibitions and simply play and dance. Gathered here are images of this year's Holi festival from across India .

Holi , is of particular significance in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally connected to the Lord Krishna: Mathura,Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana, tourist destinations during the season of Holi.

Crowd in a cloud of purple powder during Holi, the festival of colors in India

My first Holi festival was 15 years ago in Jaipur, and I will never forget it. It took seb=veral hours to get the beautiful anilin poweder our of my white impeccable clothes. Worth the experience anyways I knew something colorful would arrive soon in my life...

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