Holi

Rahul Gandhi celebrates Holi with Congress workers at party office

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi celebrated Holi with party workers at the AICC's 24, Akbar Road office here on Wednesday, as he was smeared with colours by supporters and leaders. Gandhi wished everyone a Holi filled with love and one that eliminates hatred. Surrounded by workers, leaders and journalists at the party office, Gandhi applied colours on everyone and was smeared by 'gulal' in return. Sharing pictures from the celebration on X, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi, "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the festival of colours and love, Holi. May the colours of Holi fill your lives with new hopes, new enthusiasm and countless happiness." Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge greeted people on Holi. "Holi is a festival that expresses the soul of our colorful, multicultural society. It celebrates the tradition of unity in diversity, mutual harmony, and brotherhood that has been the hallmark of our civilization for centuries," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. "On this

Delhi Police on high alert for Holi, 134 intersections under strict watch

The Delhi Police is on high alert on Holi, deploying over 15,000 personnel to enforce strict law and order in the city. A senior police officer said teams have been deployed at 134 major intersections to nab drunken driving culprits. Serious violation will invite suspension of driving licence for a minimum of three months. The Delhi Traffic Police said elaborate arrangements have been made to maintain public safety and ensure smooth vehicular movement during the festival. Special teams are stationed at major junctions and vulnerable stretches to police speeding, reckless and zig-zag driving, red-light jumping, triple riding, riding without helmets, and performing stunts on two-wheelers. According to the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, in cases of drunken driving, red-light jumping, using a mobile phone while driving, dangerous driving and speeding, the driving licence of the offender will be seized and liable for suspension for at least three months, it said in an ...

PM Modi extends Holi greetings to people, wishes 'spring of happiness'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended Holi greetings to the people and wished them a spring of happiness. Modi said Holi infuses atmosphere with new energy and this is its greatest specialty. "Heartiest greetings to all fellow citizens on the occasion of Holi. May this festival, filled with colours and zeal, bring a spring of happiness for everyone," he said in a message in Hindi. "The festival of Holi infuses the entire atmosphere with new energy. This is the greatest specialty of this celebration. The way the colours of happiness are seen scattered everywhere, it leaves everyone drenched in exuberance and joy," he said.

Delhi gets warmer at 31.5 degrees Celsius; mercury to go higher on Holi

Delhi recorded a warm day on Tuesday with a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, 4.1 degrees Celsius above normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 15.6 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees Celsius above normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), on Holi (Wednesday), the maximum temperature is expected to settle at 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is likely to be around 16.0 degrees Celsius. If the mercury reaches 33 degrees Celsius, it could make Holi the hottest day of the year. The IMD has forecast a mainly clear sky for tomorrow, with sustained surface winds of 15-25 kmph, occasionally gusting to 35 kmph during the day. Station-wise, Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 31.5 degrees Celsius (4.1 degrees Celsius above normal), Palam 29.4 degrees Celsius (2.4 degrees Celsius above normal), Lodi Road 31.4 degrees Celsius (4.4 degrees Celsius above normal), Ridge 31.5 degrees Celsius (3.5 degrees Celsius above normal), and Ayanagar 31.6 degrees Celsius

Holi 2026: Delhi Metro schedule, start and end timings on festival day

Delhi Metro services will begin late in the day on Holi. On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, train operations on all lines will start at 2:30 pm. After the delayed start, services will function normally

Stock markets closed today for Holi: NSE, BSE shut on March 3, 2026

All segments, including equities, derivatives, and securities lending and borrowing (SLB), are unavailable for trading during the day.

Stock market holiday: Are NSE, BSE closed on Mar 3 or Mar 4 for Holi?

Following the Holi holiday, the month of March features two additional market holidays: Ram Navami on March 26 and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31

Domestic travel surges ahead of Holi as bookings jump across categories

Flight, bus and hotel bookings are rising sharply ahead of Holi, with strong tier-II and III demand and a surge in destination searches as travellers plan extended festive getaways

Railways to run 1,244 Holi Special trains from Feb 25 to Mar 18: Check list

Indian Railways said that it will operate 1,244 Holi Special train trips between February 25 and March 18 to ease the festive rush, improve connectivity across various zones

This IAS officer hosted a private Holi party - and billed the state for it

Prabodh Saxena, Himachal Pradesh's top bureaucrat, billed ₹1.22 lakh to the state exchequer for a Holi party attended by officers and families, sparking backlash over misuse of public funds

Texas passes first-ever Holi resolution, 3rd US state to recognise festival

The Texas Senate has passed its first-ever resolution recognising Holi, officially acknowledging the Hindu festival of colours as a significant cultural celebration. With this move, Texas becomes the third US state after Georgia and New York to formally recognise Holi. The resolution was introduced by Senator Sarah Eckhardt and passed just ahead of Holi celebrations on March 14. It highlights Holi's cultural and spiritual significance, celebrating spring, renewal, unity, and the triumph of good over evil. "The origins of this jubilant festival can be traced back many millennia, and the holiday is recognised and celebrated throughout the world by people of all backgrounds who relate to the festival's themes of love, renewal, and progress," the resolution states. The Senate also emphasised Holi's role in strengthening community bonds and enriching Texas's cultural diversity. Consul General of India in Houston, DC Manjunath, told PTI, This is a proud and historic moment for Texas.

Rajasthan cops boycott Holi over promotions, salary discrepancies

Rajasthan Police personnel in several districts of the state distanced themselves from Holi celebrations on Saturday in support of their demands including promotions and removing salary discrepancies. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot demanded that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma immediately intervene in the matter and look into the demands of the policemen. Cabinet minister Kirodi Lal Meena also came in support of the demands and said he would raise the issue with the government. Traditionally, policemen celebrate the festival of colour on the day of Dhulandi as they remain engaged in law and order duty on the day of the festival. The next day of the Dhulandi, they gather in police lines to celebrate Holi. As usual, arrangements for Holi celebrations were made by senior officers in police lines across the state. However, police lines in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and other districts remained empty. In Kota, Bharatpur, Pali, Sawai Madhopur and Bhilwara, celebrations continued with

Traffic violations surge over 100% during Holi celebrations this year

Traffic violations surged by more than 100 per cent during Holi celebrations this year, an official said on Saturday. A total of 7,230 challans were issued on Holi this year, marking a sharp increase from 3,589 violations recorded in 2024, he said. According to a police statement, the number of people caught for drunken driving surged to 1,213 in 2025 compared to 824 in 2024. Similarly, helmet-related violations increased by 56 per cent to 2,376 this year from 1,524 challans in 2024. The statement added that other offenses, including triple-riding, tinted glass violations and driving without seat belts also saw an increase. A total of 573 challans were issued for triple-riding and 97 for tinted glass violations this year. According to the statement, about 1,241 violators were booked for other traffic offenses last year on Holi, with it rising by 139 per cent in 2025 with a total of 2,971 violators booked. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta stated, "Keep

UP revels in Holi festivities; Barabanki dargah becomes symbol of harmony

Holi festivities went off peacefully across Uttar Pradesh with people from different faiths coming together in Barabanki to celebrate the festival of colours. In some areas, the celebrations were held amid tight security due to Holi coinciding with the second Friday prayers of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated Holi by applying 'gulal' (powder colour) to cows and calves at the Gorakhnath temple cow shelter. Wearing his signature saffron attire, a multicolour turban and black sunglasses, the chief minister also showered flower petals and 'gulal' on the crowd during a Holi procession. Actor and MP Ravi Kishan added to the festive spirit by singing folk songs. Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya celebrated Holi in Lucknow. Pathak joined a Holi procession on a camel. Lucknow's Chowk area was packed with revellers, who danced to Bollywood songs and smeared bright colours on each other. Some German tourists also joined

CM Rekha Gupta vows to paint Delhi with colours of happiness, prosperity

Gupta highlighted her vision for the capital, focusing on progress and prosperity, and reaffirmed the importance of her leadership in achieving a brighter future for the people of Delhi

No other religion has such rich tradition of festivals: Adityanath on Holi

No country and religion has such a rich tradition of festivals as Sanatan Dharma, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday on the occasion of Holi and asserted that India moves ahead through festivals. Addressing the traditional "Narsingh Shobhayatra' in Gorakhpur, he stressed that Holi gives out the message of an maintaining an "Akhand" (intact) country through unity. "The vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat' will be fulfilled," he stressed. "No country in the world, no caste, no religion has such a rich tradition of festivals as Sanatan Dharma. We have faith in Sanatan Dharma and the faith is the soul of festivals. India moves ahead through festivals." Adityanath said. "You have seen that those who oppose Sanatan Dharma have seen the ability ('saamarth') of Sanatan Dharma as well as that of India through the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Over 66 crore devotees came together and got blessings in the mega bathing rituals at Sangam. There was no discrimination based o

Sambhal police conduct flag march, monitor Holi celebrations with drones

Other than police, paramilitary forces also conducted a flag march in Sambhal, whereas the administration is using drones for proper monitoring of the situation in the district

Holi 2025: Banks closed; opt for online and mobile banking to avoid hassle

Essential financial services will be available through online banking, ATMs, and mobile banking apps

PM Modi, President Murmu extend greetings to nation on occasion of Holi

This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen, said PM Modi

Holi extended weekend: Flight bookings up 50%, Abu Dhabi, Ayodhya top picks

For international travel, Vietnam, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are seeing the highest growth