People celebrating Holi in Kathmandu; Traffic police intensify checking (Photos)

Nepal Views

Kathmandu: The festival of Holi has been enthusiastically celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley since early this morning (Thursday).

At places like Basantapur, young people and children, particularly, have been celebrating Holi by applying colored powder (abir) to each other since the morning. Security personnel are strictly monitoring and checking to ensure the festival is observed in a dignified manner.

Holi, known as the festival of colors, is traditionally celebrated across the country every year with joy, playing with various colors and abir, while spreading the message of unity and goodwill.

The festival symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood, justice over injustice, virtue over vice, and righteousness over unrighteousness.

The festival officially began in the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar area of Basantapur on Falgun 23, with the erection of the ceremonial Chir (a three-tiered bamboo pole decorated with colorful cloth).

‘Chir’ installation at Basantapur begins Holi celebration (Photo Feature)

According to Hindu religious beliefs, the tradition of erecting the Chir is associated with an ancient story from the Dwapar Yuga, where Lord Krishna is said to have mischievously stolen the clothes of the Gopinis (cowherd girls) while they were bathing and hung them on a tree.

With the raising of the Chir on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the month of Falgun each year, the Holi festival officially begins in the Kathmandu Valley.

Along with the Kathmandu Valley, the festival is also being celebrated in the hilly regions today. However, in the Terai-Madhesh districts, it will be celebrated on Friday.