N EW DELHI — Millions of people in South Asia celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on Friday by smearing each other with brightly colored powder, dancing to festive music and feasting on traditional sweets prepared for the occasion.

Revellers across India and Nepal smear each other with colors and water to celebrate the Hindu spring festival of colors known as Holi.

Widely known as the Hindu festival of colors, Holi marks the arrival of the spring season in India, Nepal and other South Asian countries as well as the diaspora. It celebrates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha,

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. It marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. While the festival is primarily associated with the playful throwing of colors,