Hinduism

Indian Hindu widows celebrate Holi

Indian Hindu widows celebrate Holi

14 Photos

Locals and Indian Hindu widows throw participated in Holi celebrations at the Gopinath temple, 180 kilometres (112 miles) south-east of New Delhi, India, on Monday. A few years ago this joyful celebration was forbidden for Hindu widows. Like hundreds of thousands of observant Hindu women, they would have been expected to live out their days in quiet worship, dressed only in white, their very presence being considered inauspicious for all religious festivities.

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April 19 Photo Brief: Manhunt in Boston, Ramnavmi festival in India and gay rights in France

April 19 Photo Brief: Manhunt in Boston, Ramnavmi festival in India and gay rights in France

18 photos

Much of Boston is on lockdown, gay marriage vote sparks violence in France, Hindus prepare for the festival commemorating the birth Rama and more in today’s daily brief.

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Holi celebrations begin in India with local festival

Holi celebrations begin in India with local festival

24 photos

On March 27, Hindus across India and the Indian diaspora will observe Holi, a festival that in part marks the beginning of spring. In celebration, Hindu devotees spend the day smearing colored powder on each other’s faces and throwing colored water at friends and family, leading to Holi’s status as India’s “Festival of Colors.”

Local Holi celebrations often begin earlier, including Lathmar Holi in the northern Indian town of Barsana. Unique to the Lathmar Holi tradition is a ceremony where women use long sticks to beat men who sing provocative songs to invite their attention.

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Nov. 26 Photo Brief: A Capitol Christmas tree, Mahatma Gandhi impersonator, Onion Johnnies, DR Congo conflict

Nov. 26 Photo Brief: A Capitol Christmas tree, Mahatma Gandhi impersonator, Onion Johnnies, DR Congo conflict

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Santa visits the Capitol Christmas tree, a Mahatma Gandhi impersonator in India, Queen Elizabeth II checks out weapons, DR Congo conflict continues and more in today’s daily brief.

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Nov. 20 Photo Brief: Toxic fashion show, Shiite self-flagellation, Afghanistan’s surplus of orphans and drug users

Nov. 20 Photo Brief: Toxic fashion show, Shiite self-flagellation, Afghanistan’s surplus of orphans and drug users

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Greenpeace holds a “Toxic Thread” fashion show in China, Shiite Muslims in Kashmir remember the slaying of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, 1 million orphans in Afghanistan, 60,000 drug users in the Afghan capital city of Kabul and more in today’s daily brief.

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Nov. 13 Photo Brief: Sandy salvage, Diwali light festival, Chinese air show

Nov. 13 Photo Brief: Sandy salvage, Diwali light festival, Chinese air show

25 photos

Sifting through Sandy’s aftermath continues in New Jersey and New York, Hindus celebrate Diwali, the annual festival of lights, China’s People Liberation Army puts on an air show, Justin Bieber dons a pair of dj/rockstar angel wings and more in today’s daily brief.

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