Today people in India mark Holi, also known as the Festival of Spring or the Festival of Colors. The vibrant Hindu tradition is celebrated at the end of Winter, on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna — which is today! Similar to Mardi Gras, during Holi social restrictions are loosened. In India, Hindus from all classes and both sexes celebrate together, and people are expected to Read more

Decked out in their brightly colored Punjabi frocks, Indian college girls perform a traditional "giddha" dance to celebrate the Teej festival. Hindu women take part in the three-day celebrations surrounding this fasting festival, which ushers in the rainy season and is dedicated to the goddess Parvati. See more photos of the girls celebrating the festival with singing and dancing now! Read more

An Indian woman arranges brightly colored floral garlands made for wedding decor at a workshop with Gramshree, an organization that supports local artisans and their traditional crafts. By working with local women, Gramshree's mission is to help foster sustainable economic and social growth in India's rural, low-income, and slum areas. See more pictures of the Indian women working on quilts, Read more

Nobody welcomes Spring like Hindus. Much like Mardi Gras, Holi, the Spring festival of colors, celebrates mischief and merrymaking. But I'm going to wager it's the only religious festival that involves paintball-like rituals. Of course, it's not paint, but colored powdered and water. The tradition of throwing and smearing it on others dates back to the seventh century, and it's celebrated most Read more

Yogis from 36 countries kicked off the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India, with over 300 people performing the ancient exercise together. Not enough to beat the 10,000 yogis who practiced in Central Park last Summer, but yoga isn't about competition, right? It's about judgment. Read more