Students of Rabindra Bharati University apply colored powder to a fellow student's face as they celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colors in Kolkata March 6, 2012. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and will be celebrated all over India on March 8.REUTERS 
People dance and chant religious slogans inside a temple as others pour colored water on them to celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colours, in Vrindavan near the northern Indian city of Mathura March 7, 2012. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and will be celebrated all over India on March 8.REUTERS 
People throw colored powder as they chant religious slogans inside a temple while celebrating the Holi, also known as the festival of colors, in Vrindavan near the northern Indian city of Mathura March 7, 2012. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and will be celebrated all over India on March 8.REUTERS 
People chant religious slogans as others throw colored powder in a temple to celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colors, in Vrindavan near the northern Indian city of Mathura March 7, 2012. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and will be celebrated all over India on March 8.REUTERS 
A student, with her face smeared in coloured powder, celebrates Holi, also known as the festival of colours, at a college in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh March 2, 2012.REUTERS 
People dance as others spray coloured water on them during the "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012.Reuters 
Men shield themselves from women playfully beating them with bamboo sticks during "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012.Reuters 
A man daubed in coloured powder smiles as he celebrates "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012.Reuters 
A man shields himself from women playfully beating him with bamboo sticks during "Lathmar Holi" at Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 2, 2012.Reuters 
A man throws coloured powder on others as they celebrate "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012. In a Holi tradition unique to Nandgaon and Barsana villages, men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then "beat" them with bamboo sticks called "lathis". Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India.Reuters 
Veiled Hindu women hold bamboo sticks as they celebrate "Lathmar Holi" at Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 2, 2012.Reuters 
Men drag a boy to the ground to cover him in red coloured water during "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012.Reuters 
One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of March.Originally Holi was regarded to be the festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land. There are several legends and stories behind Holi. A popular legend says that Holi is remembered for the sacrifice of Holika who burnt herself in fire on this day.Reuters 
People throw coloured powder as they celebrate "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012.Reuters 
A boy pours coloured water on a family making their way to a temple during "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh March 3, 2012.Reuters
Holi, the festival of colours, is being celebrated In India Thursday.
People all over the country are in a festive mood, playing with colours and greeting one another. There were special prayers and poojas in temples in the morning.
President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh extended Holi greetings to the people.
In her message, Pratibha Patil said: "Holi is a festival of colours that heralds joy, hope and fulfilment in our lives. Like the colours of a rainbow, that are different yet together they reflect beauty, may this festival bring together all the colors of India's diversity in a rainbow of unity."
"I extend my hearty greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This Festival marks the onset of spring and is celebrated with joyous gaiety," Ansari wrote in his message.
"Let the spontaneity and liveliness of this spring festival yet again affirm the togetherness of our multicultural nation," said Manmohan Singh.
The celebrations began in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and a few other parts in north India nearly a week ago.
Check out the photos of Holi celebrations.
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