Happy Holi 2025 Highlights: India celebrates festival of colours in full swing! Political leaders, celebs extend wishes

The Holi festival, celebrated on Friday by the majority Meitei community in violence-hit Manipur, was low-key for the second year in a row. One of the biggest festivals of the community, Holi or Yaosang is held for five days in the northeastern state and it officially commenced on Friday evening with the burning of straw huts built at Shri Govindaji temple complex in Palace Compound and at a few other localities.

Like the previous year, the event has been restricted to religious activities associated with the festival and community sports events. No entertainment programmes such as the nightly cultural dance would be held, according to organisers.

Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, rendering at least 250 people dead and thousands homeless.

Devdutta Phurailatpam, a Meitei priest, said, “The festival is low-key due to two reasons. People, particularly internally displaced persons, are yet to return to their native places and are facing hardships. Besides, there are apprehensions of attacks by miscreants at the peripheral part of valley areas during the celebrations.” During the Yaosang, children walk from door to door in their neighbourhood, give blessings to adults, and in return, they receive money.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Australian counterpart Penny Wong for her wishes on Holi. Wong wished those celebrating Holi across the world and shared an old picture of herself with EAM Jaishankar. “Thank you for the warm Holi greetings Senator Penny Wong.” “Wishing my dear friend S Jaishankar, and all those celebrating in India, Australia and across the world a very happy Holi. May this festival of colours bring joy to all,” Wong said in a post on X.

The festival of colours was celebrated peacefully with traditional fervour in this district amid tight security arrangements in view of Holi and the Friday prayers of the Muslims falling on the same day. The traditional ‘chaupaai kaa juloos’ (procession) was also taken out in Sambhal city on the occasion of Holi, officials said.

Sambhal has been tense after riots broke out on November 24 last year following a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque here. Four people were killed and several including police personnel were injured in the clashes. Friday prayers were held at the mosque at 2.30 pm. Its president Zafar Ali had earlier urged members of both communities to celebrate Holi and offer Friday prayers in a harmonious atmosphere.

On Friday, Sambha District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said, “Holika Dahan was held peacefully (on Thursday evening) at 1,212 places in the district. People celebrated Holi with traditional fervour. More than 60 processions were completed under tight security arrangements.” With Holi and Friday prayers falling on the same day, the police and the district administration had made tight security arrangements this time. The RAF on Friday conducted a flag march in the city of Sambhal that was divided into 29 sectors and put under drone surveillance. – PTI

Delhi Police is on high alert, and security measures have been beefed up in view of the Holi celebrations that coincide with the second Friday prayers of Ramzan, an official said. Over 25,000 security personnel have been deployed in Delhi to maintain law and order, the official said on Friday. The police are closely monitoring about 300 sensitive areas with CCTV cameras and drones.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X and posted Holi wishes, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to our Hindu community in Pakistan on the joyous occasion of Holi. The vibrant energy that surrounds this festivity mark the arrival of spring, symbolizing love and the triumph of good over evil. While celebrating new beginnings, renewal, and the strengthening of relationships, this occasion also highlights the importance of diversity and the power of inclusion in building a stronger, more unified nation. May this festival of colors fill your lives with happiness, health success, and prosperity. Happy Holi!”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also the Gorakshpeethadhiswar, started Holi celebration at the Gorakhnath temple on Friday, the state government said in a statement. He visited the Gorakhnath temple mela ground, where Holika (demon king’s sister) was burnt, worshipped the bhasm (ash) amid chanting of Vedic mantras, and performed aarti. After this ritual, seers and devotees applied tilak on Adityanath with this ash and took his blessings, the statement said.

From the Holika Dahan site, Adityanath visited the Shrinathji temple in the premises and offered Holika Bhasm to the diety. He also enjoyed ‘Faag’ songs organised on the platform of Shrinathji’s temple, it said.The Chief Minister then visited the gaushala (cow shed) in the temple premises and applied ash and colours on the cows. He fed them jaggery and served them, the statement said. During his visit to the gaushala, the Chief Minister also fed grains to peacocks and ducks roaming nearby, it added.

-With PTI Inputs

Across India, homes are being decorated with vibrant colors, while kitchens are filled with the delightful aroma of gujiyas and traditional sweets. The nation is immersed in the festive spirit of Holi, celebrating the arrival of spring and the values of love, unity, and renewal.

Here are some fun emojis to brighten your Holi wishes:

• 🌈 – Symbolizes the vibrant festival colors
• 🎉 – Represents joy and celebration
• 🥳 – Expresses festive excitement
• 🌸 – Signifies spring and fresh beginnings
• 💖 – Sends love and warmth
• 🎨 – Represents the colorful Holi powders
• 🕊️ – Stands for peace and harmony
• 🤗 – Spreads love and togetherness

Delhi Police is on high alert with heightened security measures as Holi celebrations coincide with the second Friday prayers of Ramzan. Over 25,000 security personnel have been deployed across the city to ensure law and order.

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BSF personnel stationed at the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar, Punjab, were seen celebrating Holi with local residents, sharing festive moments and vibrant colors.

Speaking on the occasion of Holi, Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath today said in Gorakhpur that no country or religion in the world has such a rich tradition of festivals as Sanatan Dharm. “The message of Holi is simple: this country will remain united only through unity,” he added.

Cricket Australia marked Holi 2025 by bringing the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy to Holi celebrations in Melbourne, allowing cricket fans to capture memorable selfies and photos with the prestigious trophy.

May this Holi deepen your bonds and fill your heart with happiness!
Let’s celebrate Holi with love, laughter, and a splash of vibrant colors!
Wishing you a Holi filled with sweetness, togetherness, and endless joy!
Embrace the bright shades of Holi and create memories that last a lifetime!
May the colors of Holi bring positivity, happiness, and success into your life!
This Holi, spread love, laughter, and the magic of beautiful colors!
Holi is more than just colors—it’s about sharing happiness and joy!
Fill your heart with love and your life with the spirit of Holi!
Celebrate this festival with those who make your life special!
Wishing you a safe, joyful, and color-filled Holi full of good vibes!

Holi is the only time you can splash colors on people without any complaints!
Watch out! No one is escaping my colorful ambush this Holi!
May your Holi be as vibrant as your outfit after all the celebrations!
Get ready for a splash of colors and endless laughter—Happy Holi!
Holi is all about joy, pranks, and colorful faces—brace yourself for the fun!
Play safe, indulge in sweets, and celebrate to your heart’s content!
Wishing you a Holi filled with laughter, fun, and just the right amount of mischief!
Let’s make Holi 2025 the most unforgettable celebration ever!
The more colors, the bigger the smiles—Happy Holi!
Drench yourself in happiness and spread the festive joy all around!

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory about road closures and diversions due to the construction of the Airport Drain extension. MP Road No. 205 will remain closed, affecting traffic between Sector-21 Metro Station and Dwarka Court, as well as surrounding areas. Barricades have been placed, and heavy congestion is expected on Sector-22 and Sector-9 Roads for at least a month. Commuters are advised to follow alternative routes via Sector-9 and Sector-22 Roads through Janki Chowk to reach their destinations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined devotees at Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur to celebrate Holi. He participated in singing traditional ‘phag songs’ and performed puja and aarti at the Holika Dahan site within the temple premises, marking the start of the vibrant festivities. Several BJP leaders also embraced the spirit of Holi, celebrating with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, in the historic city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi, people are joyously immersing themselves in the festival’s colorful celebrations.

“From childhood water fights to gulal-filled streets, Holi is a festival that brings back the happiest memories. Hope this year brings you joy, laughter, and colors that stay forever. Happy Holi!,” Akshay Kumar said in a post on X.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi extended his Holi greetings on Friday. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi stated in Hindi, “Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Holi. May this festival of colours bring new enthusiasm, new excitement and lots of happiness in your life.”

BJP President JP Nadda on Friday conveyed his Holi greetings to the nation, wishing that the festival of colors fills everyone’s lives with joy, enthusiasm, and happiness.

In a post on X, Nadda said, “I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all my countrymen on the occasion of Holi. I wish that this sacred festival of colours brings enthusiasm, joy, and happiness to your lives. May you all be filled with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune.”

“Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health, this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colours of joy, enthusiasm and new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful and safe Holi!” posted Rajnath Singh on X.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) KK Bishnoi on Friday discussed the security arrangements for Holi celebrations in the city, confirming that festival processions would be allowed throughout Sambhal. He also mentioned that Friday prayers would be conducted after 2:30 pm.

“Processions for the Holi will be taken out; Holi will be celebrated in all parts of the city before, and people will play it before 2:30 PM. Proper police deployment is in place. I hope this Holi will bring happiness to all… After 2:30 PM, Friday prayers (Jumme ki Namaz) will be offered,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt Holi greetings to everyone, expressing his hope that the festival would infuse new energy and enthusiasm into people’s lives while fostering national unity.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “I wish you all a very Happy 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,” in Hindi.

Apple CEO Tim Cook extends his wishes for a joyous Holi celebration.

A large gathering of devotees assembled outside Vrindavan’s Prem Mandir to joyfully celebrate Holi, the vibrant festival of colors.

“Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India’s precious cultural heritage. Come, on this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness,” Murmu said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand joins in the Holi celebrations, embracing the festival of colors with joy and enthusiasm.