Once again Chicago welcomed the return of spring by celebrating Holi, the Hindu festival of colors ... themselves in the customary colored powder, the holiday means so much more.

Himani Bhatt, left, puts colored powder on the face of her friend ... was embarrassed of his different, darker skin color. At the suggestion of his mother, he smears Radha’s face with paint ...

Clouds of color fill the air. Students in formerly white T-shirts laugh and cheer as they douse each other with vibrant ...

Lydia Martinez, 3, throws colored powder in the air during the Holi celebration at Navy Pier. The Hindu tradition marks the beginning of spring and the victory of good over evil. Ashlee Rezin/Sun ...