Indians celebrate Holi on a colourful note

MILLIONS of Indians are celebrating Holi, known as the festival of colours, at home and abroad.

The festival celebrates the beginning of spring and the victory of good over evil.

Held on the last full moon day of the lunar month, the festival sees people smearing bright colours on friends and family and offering prayers.

Holi is based on the Hindu legend of Holika, a female demon, who tries to kill her nephew Prahlad because he worships the Hindu god Vishnu. But Prahlad miraculously survives the burning fire even as Holika is consumed by the flames.

As part of the festivities, bonfires are lit the evening before Holi in the belief that they will destroy the bad so that good can triumph.

In a village near Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat state, a huge bonfire using 200 tons of wood was lit on Sunday night.

As it's one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, millions of people travel to their hometowns and villages in the days leading up to Holi.

Huge processions are held in several parts of the country to mark the festival.

A public holiday is observed and schools are shut as children and adults devote the day to colourful celebrations.

Boisterous celebrations have also been held in the neighbouring country of Nepal.