Holi is a Hindu festival when Hindus honour the victory of good over evil - but do you know the story behind this colourful festival?  

Hiranyakashipu was a very, very cruel king who forced people to worship him as if he were god. Pride blinding him, he killed anyone who disobeyed him.  

However, Hiranyakashipu had a religious son named Prahlad who, instead of praying to his father, prayed to Vishnu (the God of Preservation). Not even being sympathetic to his own son, he plotted to kill Prahlad, asking Holika (his sister) to do the evil deed. 

Holika had a cloth that would protect her from fire, so her idea was that she would take Prahlad to a fire, wear her cloak and burn him to death! Nonetheless, because of the strong faith Prahlad had in Vishnu, the cloak blew away straight on him and instead burnt Holika!  

Normally, to celebrate this holy event, Hindus burn a bonfire to represent triumph of good over evil. The next day, they throw a riot of different, vivid colours at each other for fun and bliss. This year, Holi starts on Sunday 28th March and ends on 29th March.