Colours of Holi brings joy among Hindus

A person moves relaxingly down the road of Holi celebration in Basantapur with Nepalese flag and a police personnel running for his duty captured in the same picture

Holi, the festival of colours is one of the most celebrated auspicious occasion of colors around the Hindu community for different mythical reasons. It is observed with huge number of people in the mountainous and hilly region today whereas terai celebration of Holi falls on march 7 this year.

Installation of Chir in Basantapur Durbar Suare, Kathmandu

This festival began with the installation of ‘Chir’, a bamboo pole fringed with colourful strips of cloth, in Basantapur, Kathmandu, on Monday. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day. But according to cultural experts, people used to celebrate Holi for eight days, from the day of the installation of ‘Chir’ to the full moon day as per the lunar calendar, in the past.On the evening of Holi, the Chir is brought down by burning it as this marks the beginning of the Holi festival. This is called as Chir Haran or Holika Dahan.

Holika dahan,event where the holi celebration ends

Holika dahan, is one of the greatest mythical reason people celebrate Holi. Holika, misuing her boon tries to Kill Pralaad, a bishnu devotee by using fire and herself wearing a fire resistant clad but ends up dying herself. This event is celebrated by people signifying the win of good upon devil. It is believed to wash away all of the evil from your life and fill the life with colours of happiness and joy.

Gujiya, a sweet dish prepared in holi

Gujiya, a sweet made out of flour filled with dry fruits, Bhang ladoos, Malai peda, selroti, bhang lassi are some of the sweets most consumed by the people making celebrations incomplete without it.

People gathered to play holi in Basantapur Durbar Square

Thousands of citizens gathered this year as well in Basantapur, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, which is enlisted in world heritage site, to celebrate Holi.The participation of foreigners who came to enjoy Holi in Basantpur has also been seen in a significant number filled with equal enthusiasm.

Smearing smoke gun colors and enjoying with all around

They all are celebrating Holi with colours smearing upon one another and wishing each other "Happy Holi" erasing boundaries of known and unknown.

The Metropolitan Police Range in Kathmandu says it is mobilising great number of police personnel in the valley to guard special events to be organised to celebrate the Holi festival on Sunday. It is also to tighten and to control activities that violates traffic rules.

Police Range, Kathmandu in a notice on Thursday requested everyone to celebrate Holi in a decent, healthy and dignified manner.

“If anyone uses paint, mobile, chemicals and waste water against their will to anyone, action will be taken according to the law,” said Police Superintendent Sita Ram Rijal, Spokesperson of District Police Range, Kathmandu.

The police have asked not to play Holi by wearing expensive jewellery, to strictly follow traffic rules, not to drive vehicles under the influence of alcohol, not abuse the disabled, women, children, senior citizens and tourists in any way.

Vehicles in traffic in Basantapur Durbar due to huge flow of public in Basantapur

The mass though was very thick in Basantapur durbar causing disturbance for those with vehicles but the management of police department was seen very active directing all to their respective path.

With the increasing awareness people were seen playing Holi mostly just with colours. Restaurants around managed spray of water in their balcony for those who enjoyed Holi with water.

On the occasion of Phagu Purnima, Radio Kantipur has organized a Holi program. Radio Kantipur celebrated the 'Holi Hungama' program in the park at Jawalakhel Chowk with the gathering of popular artists.

Holi is being celebrated not only in Basantapur, New baneshwor, Tangaal but also in different places of the Himalayan and hilly regions of the country with great zeal.

Some of the glimples of Holi around Kathmandu: