The vibrant festival of colours is finally here! Holi is one of the most awaited festivals in India and people absolutely love getting drenched in colours, water and balloons while chanting "Holi Hai." Holi is a celebration of joy, goodness, and the season of spring. People dance and enjoy music and also smear colours on each other's faces.

March 21 also marks Parsi new year -- Navroz. Navroz marks beginning of spring season in the Persian calendar. It is a holy day for Zoroastrians. In the Indian subcontinent, the festival is celebrated by Parsis, Kashmiris and Shia Muslims. While the Parsi community celebrates 'Jamshedi Navroz', the Kashmiri Pandits will celebrate 'Navreh'. It is usually celebrated on March 21. Families gather together, observe the rituals and feast together.

Political leaders across the nation sent out messages to their followers and fellow countrymen to celebrate the double whammy of festivals.

To celebrate the occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind extended greetings wished for joy and prosperity for everyone. "Greetings and best wishes to fellow citizens in India and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Holi. The festival of colours, Holi is a celebration of spring and fraternity in our society. May it bring peace, joy and prosperity to everyone’s lives"

Greetings and best wishes to fellow citizens in India and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Holi. The festival of colours, Holi is a celebration of spring and fraternity in our society. May it bring peace, joy and prosperity to everyone’s lives #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2019

He also wished a very happy Parsi new year to Parsi community.

Navroz Mubarak to everyone, especially to our small, much-loved and overachieving Parsi community. May the coming year bring health and happiness to all our families #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2019

PM Narendra Modi tweeted, "होली के पावन पर्व की सभी देशवासियों को ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। हर्ष और उल्लास का यह त्योहार हमारी एकता और सद्भावना के रंग को और प्रगाढ़ करे।" (Happy Holi to all the Indians. I hope this festival will only strengthen our unity. Sic.)

होली के पावन पर्व की सभी देशवासियों को ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। हर्ष और उल्लास का यह त्योहार हमारी एकता और सद्भावना के रंग को और प्रगाढ़ करे। pic.twitter.com/glZ6eQHaoe

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2019

Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted "आपको और आप के परिवार को होली के पावन अवसर पर मेरी और मेरे समस्त कांग्रेस जन की ओर से हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। होली का यह त्यौहार आपके जीवन को खुशीयो के रंग से सराबोर कर दे , मेरी ईश्वर से यही कामना है।" (Congress and I wish you best on the occasion of Holi. I pray that may this festival fills your life with happiness. sic)

आपको और आप के परिवार को होली के पावन अवसर पर मेरी और मेरे समस्त कांग्रेस जन की ओर से हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।

होली का यह त्यौहार आपके जीवन को खुशीयो के रंग से सराबोर कर दे , मेरी ईश्वर से यही कामना है।#HappyHoli

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 21, 2019

President of Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal took to Twitter to extend greetings. 

Holi marks a new beginning. Holi is a farewell to the winter and a colourful greeting to the Spring. May we all bid farewell to everything that was cold and stagnant and joyfully welcome a new tomorrow bursting with hope and promise. #HappyHoli to one and all. pic.twitter.com/H7RiV7oMpH

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) March 21, 2019

Former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah wished Happy Navroz and Holi to his followers.

Novroz mubarak to all of you & a happy holi as well.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 21, 2019

Home Minister Rajnath Singh sought peace and harmony in the society.

आप सभी को होली पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें! Happy Holi to everyone. May this festival of colours bring happiness in your lives and strengthen the bond of peace & harmony in our society.

— Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 21, 2019

होली की शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/HJSiRToYhL

— Chowkidar Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) March 21, 2019

Samajwadi Party leader and former CM of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav kept it simple. 

सबको सपरिवार होली की सतरंगी शुभकामनाएँ!

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 21, 2019

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was not far behind. 

आप सबों का जीवन ख़ुशमय और सुखमय रंगो से सदा रंगा रहे। यही मनोकामना करते है। प्रेम, उल्लास और रंगों के पर्व होली की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें। #HappyHoli pic.twitter.com/geHvEhoQpJ

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 21, 2019

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also remembered the martyrs of Pulwama terror attack.

Heartiest #Holi greetings to all. May your life be filled with colours of joy & happiness. Your enjoyment should not bring sorrow to someone else

In memory of slain jawans in #PulwamaAttack & other brave martyrs, I have decided not to participate in Holi festivities this year

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 21, 2019

Apart from these wishes, festivities on Thursday will also include some lip-smacking sweets and savouries, as well as bhang- a customary drink made from cannabis.