Holi, one of the major festivals of Nepal, is being celebrated in the hilly parts of the country today. The Terai region will celebrate Holi tomorrow, and Holi will be celebrated in Mithilanchal, like some parts of Bihar, on Saturday.
Holi, also called Phagu Poornima, marks the arrival of spring. People in Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu are seen celebrating Holi by smearing colourful abeer powder and throwing coloured water at each other. People dressed in white with bright colors of pink, red, green, and yellow abeer make a visual delight. Vibrant colors are filling the air of Durbar Square, which are being blasted from Color guns. Devotees have gathered at the Chir pole to offer barley cob and cow dung cake, which will be burnt tonight.
People are seen dancing to local bands playing folk music with Nepali instruments. Music bands in various streets of Ason are playing live music to which people gather to dance and sing in groups. Youth are seen standing in queues to enter clubs in various locations of the valley to celebrate holi with music and dance. Foreign tourists from China, the US, Europe, Australia and other countries are seen being excited with colors in the air and music that has filled the space of Kathmandu Durbar square.
On the occasion of Holi, President Ram Chandra Paudel expressed his belief that the Phagu Poornima would contribute to further strengthening social harmony and national unity in the country. Describing Nepali society as diverse and colourful as the various colours played during Holi, he has also expressed his heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity.
