kathmandu, Mar 24: Holi known as Phalgun Purnima, is one of the biggest Hindu festivals that celebrates the victory of good over evil with colors and water. People are smeared with colored powder during the celebration of Holi Festival. This year, Holi is being observed on March 24 and 25 in hilly and Terai region of Nepal respectively, celebrating the beginning of spring and the passing of winter.

Expressing his good wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali brothers and sisters at home and abroad on the occasion of the great festival of Holi Parva, President Paudel has described Holi Parva as the celebration of victory justice over injustice and victory of virtue over evil. He regards that the festival would contribute to promote mutual social goodwill and further strengthen national unity.

Mr. President explains that Nepali society is equally diverse ethnically, linguistically and culturally as the colours of the Holi festivals.

Likewise, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has called on everyone to use this as a great opportunity to strengthen national unity, integrity, sovereignty, social relations and bonds on the occasion of Phagu Purnima Holi.

While delivering the greeting message, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has expressed his belief that Fagupurnima Holi festival will inspire all Nepalis to achieve the goals of good governance, social justice, development and prosperity with new enthusiasm, energy and courage.

Also, Speaker Devraj Ghimire emphasized that we have the responsibility to enrich the traditional and original festivals and keep them alive for the future generations. 

Myth of Holi among Hindus:

A very well spread hindu mythical legend associated with Holi elaborates the story of king Hiranyakashipu, his son Prahalad - a devotee of Lord Vishnu, and his demoness aunt, Holika. Indian mythology says that Hiranyakashipu was blessed with a boon - he could not be killed by a man or animal. Therefore, he forced people to worship him. However, when his son became a devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship him, Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika to kill him by sitting on a pyre while wearing a flame-shielding cloth. However, Prahlad prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect him - summoning a gust of wind that transferred the cloth from Holika to him. Thus, a day before Holi, Holika Dahan is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. So, Holi event actually starts with a bonfire and dancing and singing around it the day before people start slathering each other with colour.

Holi is a popular and significant festival celebrated in all hindu community with great enthusiasm. As being a Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring it binds all known and unknown people under the hindu umbrella during celebration. It also recognizes and celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna.The story goes that Krishna, a Hindu deity who is considered a manifestation of Vishnu, fell in love with the Radha, but he was embarrassed that his skin was dark  and hers fair. In order to rectify this, he playfully colored her face during a game with her and the other milkmaids. This is thought to be an origin of the colored water and powder throwing. The general merrymaking is also seen as characteristic of Krishna, who is known for his pranks and play.

As being a hindu festival, this festival is celebrated with greater zeal and joy not only in Nepal but also in India prominently. There is government holiday on this particular festival for hindus to celebrate the historical and religious event with joy and carefree mindset.