In pictures:India celebrates festival of colours Holi

Holi, on Thursday celebrated among the festivals of India is quite unique - a sort of go-crazy days of the release of colored powder and water balloons to strangers and use of marijuana for recreation is almost always acceptable in general.

The markets are full of wooden carts loaded with colored powder. Sometimes a bomb explodes in a water-fight/colour across the country.

But the festival of colors, as it is known, has developed and expanded in recent years to include environmental and health consciousness activities on the subcontinent. In the past the colored powders have been made ​​mostly of low price substances and of highly toxic chemicals. But in recent years due to raising environmental consciousness businesses are increasingly turning to selling non-toxic inorganic and organic dyes to use in the popular festival.

Tihar jail is currently vegetable colors in seven bright colors and the names, the flavors are just as attractive "stress busting seven-herb flavors." - This is red "Fresh Rose, Orange, Kesar Haldi" Pink called "Lily of the Valley ',' Lemon Grass' green, yellow was blue sky, fresh mint," called Chandan Lal and magenta "Lavender".

To reach the masses, these colors are also in the mall in Gurgaon Ambience Mall and female genital mutilation, the free space will be made ​​available in their approach to promoting corporate social responsibility, and the cause of the product sold.