Holi festival in Nepal

Trip Overview

The Holi festival in Nepal is celebrated in March according to the English calendar and in the month of Falgun in the Nepali calendar. This year, Holi is on March 20 and 21. Holi is celebrated on a full moon day in Falgun; hence, it is also known as Fagu Purnima, a festival of color and joy. Holi in Nepal is mainly celebrated in the Hilly and Terai regions. It is one of the greatest festivals in Terai. Thus, it is celebrated for two days in Terai and only one day in the hilly area. This festival of color is celebrated as a welcome to the new season, which is spring. After the event of Chir Haran or Holika Dahan, the Holi festival officially started.

On this event, a long piece of different colored cloth (Chir) is tied in Basantapur Durbar Square a week before,,, and on the eve of the festival, the Chir is burned down. There are several other stories related to the Holi festival in Hindu mythology. The Nepalese way of celebrating Holi is by putting color on other people, pouring water down on others, or shooting water guns at them. Delicacies are made and enjoyed together with family and friends. The Holi festival is celebrated in many South Asian countries. Holi in Nepal is mostly celebrated by the youth. They would gather and stroll around the city all day. The color of Holi brings joy, happiness, and a pleasant spring season.