Holi, a traditional Hindu festival, celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the eternal triumph of good over evil. It is best known around the world for the powder that partygoers throw on each other, leaving festival goers coated in colour by the end of the day.

Although the festival first originated in India and is still broadly celebrated there as a religious festival, it has been adopted in many places around the world. This year’s festivities kicked off on Monday, with Google marking Holy with a special Doodle.

But what is the story behind Holi?

Holi's various celebrations arise from a number of Hindu legends. One story tells of how the great God Vishnu saved his follower Prahlada from a pyre, while Prahlada's evil aunt Holika burned. This is symbolised in the night before the Holi festival with Holika bonfire, celebrating the victory of good over evil. The coloured powder - or gulal – flung upon the crowds of revellers during the festival comes from the legend of Krishna, whose skin is said to be dark blue. Worried he wouldn't be accepted by his love Radha, Krishna mischievously coloured her face to make her look like him.

Today, it is considered fair game for anyone at Holi to be covered in the perfumed powder as a celebration of Krishna and Radha's love, regardless of age or social status. The powder also signifies the coming of spring and all the new colours it brings to nature.

What is meaning behind the coloured powder?

The traditional and historic making of gulal was made by mixing turmeric, paste and flower extracts. But nowadays this method has largely been replaced with synthetic versions. The powder comes in four main colours, each of which hold a distinct inherent meaning. Red reflects love and fertility, blue is the colour of Krishna, yellow is the colour of turmeric and green symbolises spring and new beginnings.

Google have joined in the merry making, with their Doodle showing the search engine's logo being covered in powder, and with the added mini game of users being able to spray the logo with different colours.

How is it celebrated today?

While Holi is an ancient festival in India and Nepal, it is celebrated in many parts of the world today. Hindu communities in many countries, as well as non-Hindus, join in – anything to get a party started! In London, for example, there is a music festival on July 29 - more than four months after the actual Holi festival.

The festival was also shown in the video for Coldplay's Hymn for the Weekend in 2016, indicating a strong affiliation with younger generations.

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