Their hands cupping coloured powder, people of all ages yesterday chased their friends outside the Indian Consul Office in Santa Venera where some 200 people heralded the beginning of spring.

Known also as the festival of colours, Holi is celebrated all over India and in some places the festival can last three days. The date varies every year but it usually falls in March.

And although this year it was officially celebrated on March 17, throughout the month com-munities from around the world have been getting together for Holi celebrations.

Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, celebrated Holi as early as March 13, when Hindu priests threw coloured powder at devotees in Bankey Bihari temple.

Some families hold religious ceremonies but for many Holi is a time of fun

Just last Saturday, some 70,000 people celebrated Holi at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. Malta’s Indian community and other nationals chose yesterday to fill the air with bright colours in line with the traditional festival. The event culminated in the afternoon following lunch.

Primarily a Hindu religious festival, it has spread across Europe and North America as a celebration of love and colour, when friends and strangers alike pelt and smear each other with dry powder and water.

Some families hold religious ceremonies but for many Holi is a time of fun.