Holi is celebrated on the full moon night of Phalgun Purnima with a bonfire. A sacred thread, a symbol of good, is tied around the bonfire. When the fire burns out, the thread retains its form symbolising good.

A puja follows and coconut, milk, sweets like Puran Poli are put into the sacred fire.

The next day -- Dhuli Vandan or the second day of Holi -- is marked as the beginning of a new era and celebrated with much fanfare. Everyone runs wild in a carnival atmosphere, splashing each other with brightly coloured dyes.

Symbolically Holi marks the end of evil. Evil is represented by the demoness Holika.

On the occasion of Holi Uttam Ghosh introduces Holika and some of India's most famous demonesses: