Holy men smeared ash on each other and played the festival of Holi at a cremation ground in the temple town of Varanasi on Monday.
Revelling in the age-old tradition, Hindu devotees, priests and tourists gathered at a cremation ground and threw ash on each other, which was gathered by the burning of logs of wood.
Holy men consumed a drink made of cannabis and rubbed their bodies with ash. It is believed that Hindu Lord Shiva comes to the cremation ground to play Holi with his devotees.
The festivity, which begins in the noon, goes on till late evening.
"This is an age-old tradition and still alive today. We have come here to pay our respects to Lord Shiva. It is believed that he comes here at the cremation ground to play Holi with his devotees. All devotees have played Holi with ash in front of the spirits," said a devotee, Vijay Pandey.
The festival of 'Holi' brings together people from all classes and age groups, who distribute sweets and take out processions, dancing to tunes of drums in a melange of colours.
The festival is celebrated with great zest and enthusiasm as devotees attach much importance to Hindu Lord Krishna, the archetypal figure of romance and revelry.
Holi is celebrated for several days in villages of northern India. Legend has it that on this day, Hindu Lord Krishna visited the village of his beloved Radha and playfully teased Radha and her friends.
This year, the main festival of Holi will be celebrated on March 6.