People in Yerevan today marked Vardavar, an Armenian folk holiday with pagan roots, by dousing each other with water symbolizing purification, joy, and the washing away of past troubles.

While Vardavar's origins trace back to pre-Christian times when Armenians worshipped Astghik, the goddess of water, beauty, and fertility, when Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion in the fourth century A.D. the Armenian Apostolic Church identified it with the Transfiguration of Jesus and included it into one of its five feast days

While water is the main element, the festival can also involve lighting fires on mountaintops, picnics, and traditional foods. Vardavar was recognized by UNESCO in 2011 as part of Armenia's intangible heritage.