Holi is a spring festival also known as festival of colours. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities. Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is free for all carnival of colours, where everyone plays, chases and colours each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight.

Tourists covered with coloured powder join the celebrations to mark “Holi” at a temple in Kuala Lumpur on March 23, 2014. Holi, the festival of colours where people smear each other with coloured powder and water, is celebrated by Hindus across the country

Hindu devotees celebrate Holi Festival of Colors in Kuala Lumpur March 23, 2014.

Tourists covered with coloured powder join the celebrations to mark “Holi” at Shree Lakshmi Narayan temple in Kuala Lumpur  on March 23, 2014. Holi, the festival of colours where people smear each other with coloured powder and water, is celebrated by Hindus across the country.

A Malaysian Hindu devotee is smeared with coloured powder as she celebrates the Holi Festival of Colours at a temple in Kuala Lumpur March 31, 2013. The Hindu festival of Holi celebrates the death of the demoness Holika, and the love between Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

Holi, the festival of colours where people smear each other with coloured powder and water, is celebrated by Hindus across the country. Pic: Tourists covered with coloured powder join the celebrations to mark “Holi” at a temple in Kuala Lumpur on March 23, 2014.

Malaysian Hindu devotees and the tourist as they celebrate the Holi Festival of Colours at a temple in Kuala Lumpur March 24, 2014

A Malaysian Hindu devotee is smeared with coloured powder as she celebrates the Holi Festival of Colours at celebrations at the Shree Lakshmi Narayan temple in Kuala Lumpur on March 31, 2013