Holi, the festival of colors, is an ancient Hindu festival now celebrated by Hindus around the world, generally falling in early March. The festival celebrates the coming of spring, as well as several events in Hindu legend. One of the central rituals of the holiday is the throwing of colored powders, or in the case of these women, flower petals. During the festival, Hindus in India will eschew social norms, with men and women of all classes mingling in the streets. 

Gopeshwar, India

Holi, the festival of colors, is an ancient Hindu festival now celebrated by Hindus around the world, generally falling in early March. The festival celebrates the coming of spring, as well as several events in Hindu legend. One of the central rituals of the holiday is the throwing of colored powders, or in the case of these women, flower petals. During the festival, Hindus in India will eschew social norms, with men and women of all classes mingling in the streets. 
Photograph by Manish Swarup, AP Images

Week's Best Travel Photos: A Splash of Color for Holi

Get your dose of outstanding travel photos. This week: Color is in the air for the Holi festival and the United States' capital turns pink.

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