A woman drenched in coloured water, looks on at the Nandagram Temple famous for Lord Krishna during Lathmar Holi festival in Nandgaon, 120 kilometres from New Delhi.
This festival is considered to symbolise a (violent) show of love, fun and equality.
People from roof tops look on as women from Nandgaon village beat men from Barsana village during Lathmar Holi.
"On the joyous occasion of Holi, I convey warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens," the President said in his message.
The festival begins with a ceremony at the Radha Rani temple. After this ceremony men march out of the temple on to the crowded streets and lanes where they stop to play Holi with the locals.
Thousands gather in the sprawling compound of the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, where they sing Holi songs and shout chants like "Sri Radhey" or "Sri Krishna".
A 'sadhu' or Hindu holy man leans against a closed door of the famous Nandagram Temple of Lord Krishna.
Since then, men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi in the town which has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India.
A child, centre, peeps for a view of the proceedings as women from Nandgaon village beat the shield of a man from Barsana village during the Holi festival. Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha's village on this day and playfully
Women from Nandgaon village hold wooden sticks as they wait for the men from Barsana to arrive, during Lathmar Holi festival.
According to the tradition which has its roots in Hindu mythology, men from Barsana arrive at the temple where they are drenched in coloured water by folks from Nandgaon, believed to be Lord Krishna's village, and then beaten by the women of the