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Millions of Indians celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi on Sunday by spraying coloured powder and water over each other amid police warnings about drunken behaviour.

An Indian man makes a phone call during celebrations of Vasantotsav (Holi)
© AFP Deshakalyan Chowdhury

The Hindu festival marks the start of spring and the triumph of good over evil, and is celebrated by people from all faiths across the country.

People gathered in parks and held private celebrations to exchange traditional sweets and spray red, yellow and pink powder and water at each other in a vibrant display.

Many also attended dance shows and music concerts during the weekend.

In the western city of Mumbai, the centre of the country's entertainment industry, hundreds of people visited the residence of superstar Amitabh Bachchan to mark the day.

In central Madhya Pradesh, some tribal people hold week-long celebrations, during which young men and women choose their marriage partners.

Ahead of the revelry, police issued warnings through newspaper advertisements vowing to crack down on drunken behaviour and sexual harassment of women.

"Don't let Holi lose all its colours," warned a police advertisement in leading dailies this week, as police stepped up patrols in New Delhi to check drunken driving.

Health experts have also warned about damage to skin, hair and eyes because of the use of chemicals in coloured powder.

Dermatologists advised people to use natural and organic colours and avoid toxic concoctions.

©AFP

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