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Somewhere over the rainbow: Holi brightens up India

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Jessica Sager
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Mar 6, 2015

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Holi, the festival of colors, celebrates spring.
Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, celebrates spring. STR / AFP / Getty Images

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Holi falls on the day after full moon annually in March.
Holi falls on the day after full moon annually in March. Noah Seelam / AFP / Getty Images

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An Indian woman shuts her eyes as coloured powder is smeared on her face during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
An Indian woman shuts her eyes as coloured powder is smeared on her face during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015…. AP

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A man reacts as coloured water is splashed on him during Holi celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai March 6, 2015. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
A man reacts as coloured water is splashed on him during Holi celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai March 6, 2015. Holi, also known as the Festival of… Reuters

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An Indian policeman is covered in pink powder as he guards a government official visiting an ashram where widows celebrated Holi or "festival of colors in Vindravan on March 3, 2015. Shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition many Indian widows were otracized from society, no longer lived with their families and were forced to beg for food. Almost 2,000 of the estimated 34 million widows currently living in India live in Vrindavan and benefit from the welfare extended by the NGO. The widows were attending a ceremony where they celebrate Holi or "festival of colors". AFP PHOTO / Roberto SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)
An Indian policeman is covered in pink powder as he guards a government official visiting an ashram where widows celebrated Holi or “festival of colors in Vindravan on March 3,… Roberto Schmidt / AFP / Getty

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An Indian widow lies on a patio floor covered in flower petals and colored powder as they celebrate Holi or "festival of colors" in Vrindavan on March 3, 2015. Widows congregated on a small patio of the ashram in which they live and danced and played with colored powder to celebrate the occasion. The widows of this and other ashrams in this northern town are sponsored by the NGO, Sulabh International which funds most of their needs. Shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition, many Indian widows have been otracized from society and no longer live with their families and are forced to beg for food. Almost 2,000 of the estimated 34 million widows currently living in India live in Vrindavan and benefit from the welfare extended by the NGO. AFP PHOTO / Roberto SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)
An Indian widow lies on a patio floor covered in flower petals and colored powder as they celebrate Holi or “festival of colors” in Vrindavan on March 3, 2015. Widows… Roberto Schmidt / AFP / Getty

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A physically challenged Indian child, smeared with gulal-coloured powder, smiles at the camera during Holi celebrations at the Society for the Edcuation of the Crippled school in Mumbai on March 4, 2015. 'Holi', the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day after full moon annually in March. Revellers spray coloured powder and water on each other with great gusto, whilst adults extend the hand of peace. AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
A physically challenged Indian child, smeared with gulal-coloured powder, smiles at the camera during Holi celebrations at the Society for the Edcuation of the Crippled school in Mumbai on March… Punit Paranjpe / AFP / Getty

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Indian children from the Bright Academy pose with colored powder known as gulal used during the Holi festival in Siliguri on March 4, 2015. 'Holi', the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day after full moon annually in March. Revellers spray coloured powder and water on each other with great gusto, whilst adults extend the hand of peace. AFP PHOTO / Diptendu DUTTA (Photo credit should read DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images)
Indian children from the Bright Academy pose with colored powder known as gulal used during the Holi festival in Siliguri on March 4, 2015. ‘Holi’, the festival of colours, is… Diptendu Dutta / AFP / Getty

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Two Indian widows touch their foreheads as they celebrate Holi or "festival of colors" in Vrindavan on March 3, 2015. Widows congregated on a small patio of the ashram in which they live and danced and played with colored powder to celebrate the occasion. The widows of this and other ashrams in this northern town are sponsored by the NGO, Sulabh International which funds most of their needs. Shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition, many Indian widows have been otracized from society and no longer live with their families and are forced to beg for food. Almost 2,000 of the estimated 34 million widows currently living in India live in Vrindavan and benefit from the welfare extended by the NGO. AFP PHOTO / Roberto SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)
Two Indian widows touch their foreheads as they celebrate Holi or “festival of colors” in Vrindavan on March 3, 2015. Widows congregated on a small patio of the ashram in… Roberto Schmidt / AFP / Getty

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Indian devotees play with color during celebrations of 'Holi' at the Durgiayana Temple in Amritsar on March 5, 2015. 'Holi', the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day after full moon annually in March. Revellers spray coloured powder and water on each other with great gusto, whilst adults extend the hand of peace. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (Photo credit should read NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images)
Indian devotees play with color during celebrations of ‘Holi’ at the Durgiayana Temple in Amritsar on March 5, 2015. ‘Holi’, the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the… Narinder Nanu / AFP / Getty

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Indian revellers dance as during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad on March 5, 2015. Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
Indian revellers dance as during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad on March 5, 2015. Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India at… Noah Seelam / AFP / Getty Images

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Indian revellers cover each other with coloured powder during the celebrations of Vasantotsav, 'the Festival of Spring', in Siliguri on March 5, 2015. Vasantotsav, which is celebrated in the rest of India as Holi, is celebrated as a welcoming of Spring and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil with people chasing each other and playfully splashing colorful paint, powder and water on each other. AFP PHOTO / Diptendu DUTTA (Photo credit should read DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images)
Indian revellers cover each other with coloured powder during the celebrations of Vasantotsav, ‘the Festival of Spring’, in Siliguri on March 5, 2015. Vasantotsav, which is celebrated in the rest… Diptendu Dutta / AFP / Getty

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Indian revellers play with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad on March 6, 2015. Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
Indian revellers play with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad on March 6, 2015. Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in… Noah Seelam / AFP / Getty Images

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Indian reveller is covered with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad on March 6, 2015. Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
Indian reveller is covered with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad on March 6, 2015. Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed… Noah Seelam / AFP / Getty Images

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An Indian youth is covered with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Mumbai on March 6, 2015. Holi, the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day after full moon annually in March. Revellers spray coloured powder and water on each other with great gusto, whilst adults extend the hand of peace. AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
An Indian youth is covered with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Mumbai on March 6, 2015. Holi, the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the coming of… Punit Paranjpe / AFP / Getty

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Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other's faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day of the full moon in March every year. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other’s faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is… Prakash Mathema / AFP / Getty

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Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other's faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day of the full moon in March every year. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other’s faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is… Prakash Mathema / AFP / Getty

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Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other's faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day of the full moon in March every year. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other’s faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is… Prakash Mathema / AFP / Getty

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Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other's faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day of the full moon in March every year. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other’s faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is… Prakash Mathema / AFP / Getty

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Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other's faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day of the full moon in March every year. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the Nepalese ethnic Madhesi community daub each other’s faces with coloured powders during Holi festival celebrations in Kathmandu on March 6, 2015. The Holi festival of colours is… Prakash Mathema / AFP / Getty

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Children smear the face of a man with coloured powder during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Children smear the face of a man with coloured powder during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India’s joyful and… AP

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Celebrants smear coloured powder on the face of a girl during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Celebrants smear coloured powder on the face of a girl during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India’s joyful and… AP

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Indians, their faces smeared with colored powder, take a selfie as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other.(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Indians, their faces smeared with colored powder, take a selfie as they celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India’s joyful and… AP

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Indians stand with their faces smeared with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, also marks the advent of spring. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Indians stand with their faces smeared with coloured powder during Holi celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, also marks the advent of… AP

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A man smears the face of a woman with coloured powder during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
A man smears the face of a woman with coloured powder during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India’s joyful… AP

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An Indian man, face smeared with color, dances as he celebrates Holi in Bangalore, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An Indian man, face smeared with color, dances as he celebrates Holi in Bangalore, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India’s joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring… AP

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epa04649963 Indian revellers smeared with colors dance to Bollywood and local tunes during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February or March) and its main day is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. EPA/JAGADEESH NV
epa04649963 Indian revellers smeared with colors dance to Bollywood and local tunes during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the… EPA

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epa04649961 Indian revellers smeared with colors take selfies during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February or March) and its main day is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. EPA/JAGADEESH NV
epa04649961 Indian revellers smeared with colors take selfies during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the… EPA

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epa04649912 Indian people smeared with powdered colors celebrate the Holi festival in Mumbai, India, 06 March 2014. Holi is celebrated as the Hindu spring festival of colors. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI
epa04649912 Indian people smeared with powdered colors celebrate the Holi festival in Mumbai, India, 06 March 2014. Holi is celebrated as the Hindu spring festival of colors. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI EPA

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epa04649956 Tourists smeared with colors take selfies during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February or March) and its main day is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. EPA/JAGADEESH NV
epa04649956 Tourists smeared with colors take selfies during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last… EPA

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epa04649957 Indian revellers smeared with colors dance to Bollywood and local tunes during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February or March) and its main day is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. EPA/JAGADEESH NV
epa04649957 Indian revellers smeared with colors dance to Bollywood and local tunes during the Holi Festival in Bangalore, India, 06 March 2015. Holi is celebrated at the end of the… EPA

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An Indian man closes his eyes as colored powder is smeared on his face during Holi festivities in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India's joyful and colorful celebration of the arrival of spring along with several religious myths and legends, has long ago ceased to be only a Hindu festival. The streets and lanes across most of India turn into a large playground where people off all faiths throw colored powder and water at each other. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
An Indian man closes his eyes as colored powder is smeared on his face during Holi festivities in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, March 6, 2015. Holi, India’s joyful and colorful celebration… AP

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FILE - In this Thursday, March 5, 2015 file photo, people smear colored powder on the face of a girl as they celebrate Holi in Kolkata, India. (AP Photo/ Bikas Das, File)
FILE – In this Thursday, March 5, 2015 file photo, people smear colored powder on the face of a girl as they celebrate Holi in Kolkata, India. (AP Photo/ Bikas… AP

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FILE - In this Tuesday, March 3, 2015 file photo, a Hindu widow lies on a sludgy ground filled with a mixture of colored powder, water and flower petals during celebrations to mark Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, at the Meera Sahabhagini Widow Ashram in Vrindavan, India. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
FILE – In this Tuesday, March 3, 2015 file photo, a Hindu widow lies on a sludgy ground filled with a mixture of colored powder, water and flower petals during… AP

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