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.

The vivid festival marks the beginning of spring, symbolizes the defeat of evil and celebrates the love between the Hindu deities Krishna and Radha.

Holi was celebrated peacefully across India amid heightened security measures, as it coincided with Islamic Friday prayers. Despite some disruptions, the festival symbolized unity and cultural vibrancy,