Photos: Indians gather for Holi celebrations as COVID-19 cases surge

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Photos: Indians gather for Holi celebrations as COVID-19 cases surge

People were encouraged to stay at home to avoid superspreader events

Published: March 29, 2021 16:14 AP and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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PTI03_29_2021_000119B-(Read-Only) — New Delhi: Hindus threw colored powder and sprayed water in massive Holi celebrations Monday despite many Indian states restricting gatherings to try to contain a coronavirus resurgence rippling across the country. Image Credit: PTI

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817663-01-02-(Read-Only) — Holi marks the advent of spring and is widely celebrated throughout Hindu-majority India. Most years, millions of people throw colored powder at each other in outdoor celebrations. Image Credit: AFP

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PTI03_29_2021_000099B-(Read-Only) — But for the second consecutive year, people were encouraged to stay at home to avoid turning the festivities into superspreader events amid the latest virus surge. Image Credit: PTI

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Holi celebrations gallery — People wearing protective suits as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19 play with coloured powders as they celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colours in Kolkata. Image Credit: AFP

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PTI03_29_2021_000074B-(Read-Only) — India's confirmed infections have exceeded 60,000 daily over the past week from a low of about 10,000 in February. On Monday, the health ministry reported 68,020 new cases, the sharpest daily rise since October last year. It took the nationwide tally to more than 12 million. Image Credit: PTI

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India_Holi_Festival_22598 — Daily deaths rose by 291 and the virus has so far killed 161,843 people in the country. The latest surge is centered in the western state of Maharashtra where authorities have tightened travel restrictions and imposed night curfews. It is considering a strict lockdown. Image Credit: AP

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PTI03_29_2021_000063B-(Read-Only) — Cases are also rising in the capital New Delhi and states of Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Image Credit: PTI

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Holi celebrations gallery — The surge coincides with multi-stage state elections marked by large gatherings and roadshows, and the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, celebrated in northern Haridwar city, where tens of thousands of Hindu devotees daily take a holy dip into the Ganges river. Image Credit: AFP

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India_Holi_Festival_49247 — Health experts worry that unchecked gatherings can lead to clusters, adding the situation can be controlled if vaccination is opened up for more people and COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed. Image Credit: AP

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Holi celebrations gallery — India, with a population of more than 1.3 billion, has vaccinated around 60 million people, of which only 9 million have received both doses of vaccine so far. Image Credit: AFP

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PTI03_29_2021_000051B-(Read-Only) — However, more than 60 million doses manufactured in India have been exported abroad, prompting widespread criticism that domestic needs should be catered to first. Image Credit: PTI

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India_Holi_Festival_60300 — The government said last week that there would be no immediate increase in exports. It said vaccines will be given to everyone over 45 starting April 1. Image Credit: AP

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India_Holi_Festival_95095 — Image Credit: AP

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Holi celebrations gallery — Image Credit: AFP

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