Dancing for spring

Dancing for spring

Vrindavan, India
15 images
Advertisement

A widow throws flower petals as she, along with others, celebrates Holi, a festival that heralds the beginning of spring and is observed all over India.

Traditionally in Hindu culture widows are expected to renounce earthly pleasures and do not celebrate Holi. But women at this northern Indian shelter for widows who have been abandoned by their families took part in the the celebration that is also known as the Festival of Colours.

. NANDGAON, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

Men daubed in colours sing religious songs as they celebrate Holi at Nandgaon, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

In a Holi tradition unique to Nandgaon and Barsana villages, men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then "beat" them with bamboo sticks called "lathis".

1 / 13

Slideshow

. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
. KOLKATA, India. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri
. NANDGAON, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood
. NANDGAON, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood
. BARSANA, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
. VRINDAVAN, India. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee

More Stories

Back to Top