Holi was celebrated in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Monday with traditional warmth and enthusiasm.
Despite tension in some parts of the two states, following last week's violence and arson, large numbers of people poured out of their homes and enjoyed the festival of colours with
friends and relatives.
Residents of of Punjab towns like Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar splashed colours on each other and gave away 'gujia' to friends and neighbours.
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted along the Pakistan border also celebrated Holi, an official said.
Similarly, a large number of people celebrated in the Haryana towns like Panchkula, Karnal, Panipat and Hisar.
Heavy police presence was visible all across Haryana.
In Chandigarh, more than 500 policemen were deployed to maintain peace. Entry to the Panjab University campus at Sector 14 here was restricted.