A girl looks on gleefully at fellow Holi revellers throwing coloured powder.A girl looks on gleefully at fellow Holi revellers throwing coloured powder.

People of all ages yesterday chased relatives and friends with handfuls of coloured powder as they heralded the beginning of spring.

Known by many as the ‘festival of colours’, Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is a celebration of good over evil, and for many of the faithful, it is also a celebration of friendship.

The festival takes place on the last full moon of the Hindu lunar month Phalguna, falling anywhere between February and March.

This year, Holi fell on March 13, but throughout the month of March, various Indian communities around the globe gathered for Holi celebrations.

Spring is the season of colour – fresh fruit, new life and budding flowers – including the vibrant pigments of Holi powder.Spring is the season of colour – fresh fruit, new life and budding flowers – including the vibrant pigments of Holi powder.

In fact, although it originated in India and is still widely celebrated there and in Nepal, the Holi festival has been adopted by many countries, including Malta.

As has been the case in recent years, the Maltese-Indian Community welcomed the spring season in Santa Venera yesterday with people of different nationalities.

The festival has, in several ways, become an international celebration and is also marked by non-religious people.

Even Google marked the day with a dedicated Google Doodle before this year’s festivities had kicked off.

The Maltese-Indian community ushered in spring yesterday.The Maltese-Indian community ushered in spring yesterday.

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