Holi, often regarded as the Festival of colors, is a vibrant and joyful Hindu celebration of spring's arrival, the victory of good over evil, and the legendary love between Radha and Krishna. This festival, mainly observed in South Asia but also recognized globally, basically spans two days and is rooted in ancient traditions, mythology. In honor of Holi, many timeless works and songs have been created in various periods of Nepal, India, and adjacent nations of the Indian subcontinent.
Holi is the day when Hindu (Sanatana) followers observe the importance and freedom of colors in their lives. The significance of colors in our lives and their impact on thinking patterns, freedom and purity. People visit family, and friends with sweet treats and drinks or send a message or phone call at this spring festival of joy and excitement. Holi has diverse colors and enthusiasm that depicts life as a rainbow on the earth.
The Roots of Holi Mythology
Holi, dating back to the 4th century, based on the myth of ancient Bhakta Prahlad, the son of the arrogant demon king Hiranyakashipu, who was burned by his aunt (his father's sister)Holika with his father's permission. Bhakta Prahlad was accused of worshiping Lord Vishnu and chanting his hymns and prayers. Later, his aunt Holika gets burned into ashes and he gets protected, and a strong message is then delivered to the world that the truth is glorified against untruth. The Holika bonfire or Holika Dahan, commemorates this event. The myth symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
According to another Hindu mythology, Bhavishya Purana and the Narada Purana, where it is also stated that on the day of this Holi, Lord Krishna killed the demon Putana in her attempt to kill Lord Krishna during his childhood. Upon this victory of Lord Krishna, residents of GokulDham celebrated the day by marking the village, houses, and faces in blue and other colours.
Holi Rituals and Traditions in Nepal
According to tradition, Holi begins across the country when the ceremonial chir (a traditional pillar-standing ritual) is installed to the south of the Gaddi Baithak at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the month of Falgun of Bikram Sambat (Hindu lunar calendar). Locals gathered at Basantapur and celebrated by applying abir (coloured powder) to one another as a symbolic gesture of Holi’s commencement.
The Holi festival officially begins in Nepal after a ceremonial chir (a traditional pillar-standing ritual) in Kathmandu Basantapur on 7th March, 2025. Photo credit: The Rising Nepal
Photo credit: The Rising Nepal
Similar announcements of Holi’s arrival were made by hanging colourful clothes at Pashupati Sundari Chowk of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, and the Krishna Temple premises at Patan Durbar Square. To mark the occasion, a contingent of the Nepal Army played ceremonial music and fired gun salutes, adding to the festive atmosphere.
This chir represents the triumph of truth over deception, and it is later dissolved at Tudhikhel. Devotees return home with the ashes of the burned chir because they are considered very holy and positive.
Kathmandu valley and hilly areas celebrate Holi on the full moon day, while the flatlands (Terai) observe Holi on the next day. This is because the Mithila Parikrama ends on the full moon. Nepal is colorful in Holi, whether it is hills or flatlands. The ponds in Terai are colored in the real color with the significance of integrity, brotherhood, and inclusion. This year, the main Holi celebrations will take place on March 13 in the hilly and Himalayan districts, while the Terai-Madhesh region will celebrate on March 14. The government has declared public holidays on these respective dates.
Holi is a colorful festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life. It is a time for dancing, singing, and throwing powder paint and colored water. We wish we could spread a few drops of cold, pure water from Nepal from your phone screen to commemorate this Holi. We wish everyone a very Happy Holi.
People are enjoying the Holi on 3rd April, 2016 in Busan, South Korea. Photo by: Bishal Rai
Holi, often regarded as the Festival of colors, is a vibrant and joyful Hindu celebration of spring's arrival, the victory of good over evil, and the legendary love between Radha and Krishna. This festival, mainly observed in South Asia but also recognized globally, basically spans two days and is rooted in ancient traditions, mythology. In honor of Holi, many timeless works and songs have been created in various periods of Nepal, India, and adjacent nations of the Indian subcontinent.
Holi is the day when Hindu (Sanatana) followers observe the importance and freedom of colors in their lives. The significance of colors in our lives and their impact on thinking patterns, freedom and purity. People visit family, and friends with sweet treats and drinks or send a message or phone call at this spring festival of joy and excitement. Holi has diverse colors and enthusiasm that depicts life as a rainbow on the earth.
The Roots of Holi Mythology
Holi, dating back to the 4th century, based on the myth of ancient Bhakta Prahlad, the son of the arrogant demon king Hiranyakashipu, who was burned by his aunt (his father's sister)Holika with his father's permission. Bhakta Prahlad was accused of worshiping Lord Vishnu and chanting his hymns and prayers. Later, his aunt Holika gets burned into ashes and he gets protected, and a strong message is then delivered to the world that the truth is glorified against untruth. The Holika bonfire or Holika Dahan, commemorates this event. The myth symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
According to another Hindu mythology, Bhavishya Purana and the Narada Purana, where it is also stated that on the day of this Holi, Lord Krishna killed the demon Putana in her attempt to kill Lord Krishna during his childhood. Upon this victory of Lord Krishna, residents of GokulDham celebrated the day by marking the village, houses, and faces in blue and other colours.
Holi Rituals and Traditions in Nepal
According to tradition, Holi begins across the country when the ceremonial chir (a traditional pillar-standing ritual) is installed to the south of the Gaddi Baithak at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the month of Falgun of Bikram Sambat (Hindu lunar calendar). Locals gathered at Basantapur and celebrated by applying abir (coloured powder) to one another as a symbolic gesture of Holi’s commencement.
The Holi festival officially begins in Nepal after a ceremonial chir (a traditional pillar-standing ritual) in Kathmandu Basantapur on 7th March, 2025. Photo credit: The Rising Nepal
Photo credit: The Rising Nepal
Similar announcements of Holi’s arrival were made by hanging colourful clothes at Pashupati Sundari Chowk of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, and the Krishna Temple premises at Patan Durbar Square. To mark the occasion, a contingent of the Nepal Army played ceremonial music and fired gun salutes, adding to the festive atmosphere.
This chir represents the triumph of truth over deception, and it is later dissolved at Tudhikhel. Devotees return home with the ashes of the burned chir because they are considered very holy and positive.
Kathmandu valley and hilly areas celebrate Holi on the full moon day, while the flatlands (Terai) observe Holi on the next day. This is because the Mithila Parikrama ends on the full moon. Nepal is colorful in Holi, whether it is hills or flatlands. The ponds in Terai are colored in the real color with the significance of integrity, brotherhood, and inclusion. This year, the main Holi celebrations will take place on March 13 in the hilly and Himalayan districts, while the Terai-Madhesh region will celebrate on March 14. The government has declared public holidays on these respective dates.
Holi is a colorful festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life. It is a time for dancing, singing, and throwing powder paint and colored water. We wish we could spread a few drops of cold, pure water from Nepal from your phone screen to commemorate this Holi. We wish everyone a very Happy Holi.
People are enjoying the Holi on 3rd April, 2016 in Busan, South Korea. Photo by: Bishal Rai