Around the world, Hindus celebrated Holi last weekend. Called the Festival of Colors, Holi is a popular springtime festival observed on the last full moon of the lunar month. Participants traditionally throw bright, vibrant powders at friends and strangers alike, celebrating the arrival of Spring, commemorating Krishna's pranks, and allowing everyone a momentary freedom -- a chance to drop their inhibitions and simply play and dance. Gathered here are images from this year's Holi celebrations across India and several other countries.
Holi: The Festival of Colors, 2011
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Indian villagers are covered in colorful dye as they chat during Holi celebrations in the village of Jaav, 120 km (113 mi) south of New Delhi, India on Monday, March 21, 2011. #
AP Photo/Kevin Frayer -
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Hindu devotees colored by powder thrown while celebrating Holi, the festival of color, crowd at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, India on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Vrindavan is a famous place for Holi celebrations, where according to legend, the Hindu god Krishna played Holi with his consort Radha. #
AP Photo/Manish Swarup -
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Indian Hindu worshipers are covered in red dye during Holi celebrations at the Dauji Temple in Dauji, India on Monday, March 21, 2011. The Dauji Temple festivities are known for a ritual where the women playfully hit men with whips made of cloth as men throw buckets of water with orange dye. #
AP Photo/Kevin Frayer -
Hindu devotees throw colored paper and dance as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Allahabad, India, Monday, March 21, 2011. Clothes torn and thrown during celebrations are seen hanging from overhead cables. #
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A Hindu priest sprays colored water on devotees celebrating Holi, the festival of colors, as they crowd at the Swaminarayan temple in Ahmadabad, India on Saturday, March 19, 2011. #
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Hindu devotees colored by powder thrown while celebrating Holi, the festival of color, crowd at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) from New Delhi, India, Friday, March 18, 2011. #
AP Photo/Kevin Frayer -
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Red dye is thrown in the air as Indian Hindu worshipers, some carrying tree branches, take part in Holi celebrations, the Hindu festival of colors at the Dauji Temple in Dauji, India on Monday, March 21, 2011. #
AP Photo/Kevin Frayer -
Indian women hold sticks, also known as Lahti's, which are playfully used to hit local men during Lahtmar Holi celebrations of the Hindu festival of colors in the village of Jaav, India, Monday, March 21, 2011. #
AP Photo/Kevin Frayer -
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A Hindu devotee colored by powder thrown while celebrating Holi, the festival of color, looks on at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, India, Saturday, March 19, 2011. #
AP Photo/Manish Swarup -
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A puff of purple powder joins the clouds of other colored powders as Hindu devotees celebrate Holi at the Bankey Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, India on March 21, 2011. #
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