People across Asia poured onto streets on Monday to celebrate the festival of Holi with colours, dance and bonfires, even as the deadly coronavirus continued its march around the world.

The ancient Hindu festival heralds the arrival of spring and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

Although COVID-19 largely failed to dampen the spirits of revellers, the number of people to come out and play Holi reduced this year due to risk of the virus outbreak, the Associated Press reported.

In Sindh, members of the Hindu community sprayed red, yellow and silver powder onto each other as special ceremonies were held at temples across the province.

Holi is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month.

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Header image: Revellers smear coloured powder on each other during Holi celebrations in occupied Jammu, India. — AP