Festivals all over the world are generally celebrated in a colourful manner, but this one in India takes the cake as perhaps the world's most vibrant holiday.

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the festival of colours, sees families, friends and strangers chasing and smearing one another with brightly coloured powder or water in the streets.

The event is popular in India, seen here as Hindu devotees gathered last Friday in Nandgaon temple in Mathura, in the Uttar Pradesh region of India, ahead of the official March 23 celebrations.

It is also celebrated by revellers in numerous countries.

The spring festival is celebrated on the day of the last full moon, either in February or March, to mark the end of the winter season.