Dubai With the winter gloom on its way out and nature all set to get pampered by spring blooms in varied hues, Indians worldwide marked the occasion by playing Holi - the festival of colours on Wedenesday.

Known as the oldest Hindu festival, Holi falls on the full moon every year somewhere between February end and the beginning of March.

Known as 'Vasant Mohotsava' [spring festival] it is predominately celebrated by northern, western and eastern states of India.

The festival which extends to three days involves lighting a bonfire and dancing around it on the rhythmic beats of the drums as participants throw colours on each other apart from the religious rituals.

The festival derived its name from Holika, the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. Legend has it that Hiranyakashipu was too arrogant and ordered his subjects to worship him but his young son Prahlad refused to heed and worshipped God.

Driven by anger Hiranyakashipu orders his sister Holika - who had in her the power to walk on fire unharmed - to kill Prahlad. Holika picks up Prahlad and walks through the fire and meets her end while Prahlad comes out unscathed.

And so, as a celebration of victory of the good over evil and mark, the occasion a bonfire is lit on the second day of Holi.

In olden days people used to make use of gulal - a coloured powder made of dried spring flowers mixed with water - to play with on the festival but today people prefer chemical colours that come in red, blue, yellow and green colours.

While it's a public holiday in India and celebrations begin at the crack of dawn, it is a working day for Indians in the UAE. As such, celebrations have to wait until the weekend arrives. These celebrations are organised in the UAE by community organisations or by families who will then get together in various parks.

Speaking to Gulf News expatriate families said that they made sure that festival was celebrated to the same extent as it is was held in back home.

"We have plans to go to wonderland [tomorrow] to play Holi," said Madhuri Gupta. She said she had sourced gulal packets from India and did not go shopping for colours in the UAE.

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