In Pics: How the country celebrates Holi

Grand celebrations were held in many parts of the country on the occasion of Holi on Tuesday. Many foreigners too enthusiastically took part in the celebrations. Sections of people switched to organic colours which are safer.

This year there has been a lot of emphasis on celebrating a waterless Holi. In Maharashtra in particular, stars and citizens appealed to masses to conserve water owing to the severe drought the state is facing. Actor Amitabh Bachchan has appealed on twitter for a 'dry holi'. Bachchan tweeted, "Water shortage in Maharashtra...And it's only March. What will happen in Summer? Save Water! Play a dry Holi!!"

Recently, self- styled Asaram Bapu's splurges were banned by the Maharashtra government after media persons were assaulted on pointing out the amount of water being wasted at the pre- holi function.

Adding colour

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde (C) with ASSOCHAM President Rajkumar Dhoot (R) and Radico Khaitan Chairman & Managing Director Lalit Khaitan celebrates Holi during the National Conference on "Safety and Security.

Splash of colours

Pakistani actress Veena Malik celebrates Holi during shooting of her upcoming film in Hyderabad on Monday.

Holi Milan function

BJP youth activists wearing masks of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during holi milan function in Patna on Monday.

Foreigners enjoying Holi

Girls with coloured face pose for photograph along with foreign tourists ahead of festival of colour Holi in Agra on Monday.

School students play Holi

School students throw water on each other while celebrating Holi at their school in Ahmedabad on Monday. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and will be celebrated all over India on March 27.

Foreigners enjoy Festival of Colours

Foreigners celebrate Holi in Bodhgaya on Monday.

Role play

Artists dress up as Lord Krishna and Radha during the flower Holi celebration at a temple in Jaipur on Sunday.

Lakhs gather to celebrate Holi

Asaram Bapu playing Holi with followers in Jammu on Sunday .

Foreigners gets a taste of Holi

Foreign tourists play Holi during 'Vasant Utsav 2013' at Indian Museum in Kolkata on Saturday.

Asaram Bapu plays Holi

Asaram Bapu playing Holi with followers at Airoli, Thane, Mumbai on Monday.

Underprivileged children play Holi

People sing religious songs as they participate in Lathmaar Holi celebration at Nandgaon village near Mathura on Friday evening.

Lat mar Holi celebrations

Women beating Policemen with sticks during Lath mar Holi celebration in Mathura on Saturday.

Merging colours

Underprivileged Children's play 'Holi' at The Refuge in Kolkata on Monday.

Rajnath Singh with Arun Jaitley during Holi

Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh with Party Senior Leader Arun Jaitley during Holi Milan function at party headquarter in New Delhi on Monday.

Stars celebrate Holi

Bollywood actors celebrate the festival of Colours ‘Holi' and campaign save water and safe Holi, in Mumbai Monday.