Indians gather for Holi celebrations as COVID-19 cases surge

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.

Men daubed in colors throw colored powder at each other in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, March 24, 2021.

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.

People watch Lathmar Holi celebrations in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, March 24, 2021.

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.

Indians smear colored powder on each other in Jammu, India, March 28, 2021.

India’s confirmed daily infections have exceeded 60,000 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.

People throw colored powder at each other in the town of Barsana, northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, March 23, 2021.

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.

Hindu devotees walk around a bonfire in Ahmedabad, India, March 28, 2021.

Cases are also rising in the capital New Delhi and states of Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Men daubed in colors take part in Lathmar Holi celebrations in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, March 24, 2021.

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.

A man with his face smeared of colored powder, wears a protective face mask as he celebrates Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 28, 2021.

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.

People use colored smoke as they gather to celebrate Holi, March 28, 2021.

However, more than 60 million doses manufactured in India have been exported abroad, prompting widespread criticism that domestic needs should be catered to first.

Indians dance during Holi festival celebrations in Gauhati, India, March 29, 2021.

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.

Women shower flower petals in Noida, India, March 28, 2021.

An Indian woman smeared in colors looks into the camera, in Mumbai, India, March 29, 2021.

Youngsters play with dry colors on the occasion of the Holi festival, in Nagaon District of Assam, India, March 29, 2021.

A family playing with colored powderes at Durgiana Temple in Amritsar, India, March 28, 2021.

An Indian woman, with her face smeared with color, joins celebrations to mark Holi in Prayagraj, India, Monday, March 29, 2021.

A man shields himself from women, who playfully beat him with bamboo sticks during the festival in Uttar Pradesh, India, March 23, 2021.

People dance as colored powder is thrown in Uttar Pradesh, India, March 23, 2021.

Portrait of a worker making "Gulal," a colored powder used in Holi celebrations, at Shitla Mata Mandir Parking area in Gurugram, India, March 25, 2021.

Women hold bamboo sticks in the town of Barsana, India, March 23, 2021.