YEREVAN, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Armenians on Sunday celebrated Vardavar, their ancient water festival, by drenching one another, and even strangers, with water.

The festival dates back to Armenia's pagan traditions before the adoption of Christianity and is celebrated 14 weeks after Easter.

Originally a tribute to Astghik, the Armenian goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility, Vardavar has become a cooling-off day as Armenia suffers from scorching heat at this time of the year.