Nepal, a country of diverse cultures, traditions, and festivals. It celebrates more festivals than the number of days in a year. This small nation is occupied by 125 ethnic groups, 129 languages spoken, and almost all the religions of the world exist here.
Holi is the festival of color especially celebrated in the Indian subcontinent. It falls in between February and March on the full moon day. It is one of the most celebrated, most excited, and high energetic festivals enjoyed by everyone regardless of any gender, sex and age groups.
What is done in Holi?
On this day, people visit each other applying the colors on their faces. From young to old people come to the street and peg each other with handfuls of colored water balloons and color powder. In that day children seem to be the happiest as they carry Lola (colored water-filled balloon) and Water guns (a device used to sprinkle tinged water) to shower water whoever they meet on the way saying “Happy Holi”
What is the history behind Holi Festival?
Although there are several myths and mythologies behind this festival, it is celebrated as the victory of the good over evil. Following Mahabharata, once there was a wicked king- Hiranyakashyap. He used to force everyone to worship his kingdom and him, instead of the gods and goddesses.
However, his son Prahlad was the great devotee of the Lord Vishnu. In spite of his father’s threaten, he kept praying Vishnu. Seeing this, Hiranyakashyap tried to kill Prahlad variously. Once Hiranyakashyap ordered his sister Holika to burn Phralad in the fire keeping in her lap (Holika was blessed with resistance to fire). But when she sat on the fire with Prahlad, surprisingly Lord Vishnu saved Prahlad and Holika became ash burnt by the fire. From that day, people celebrate this festival as the victory.
Holi Festival Dates
Holi is celebrated in different dates because it is determined according to the Lunar Calendar. The days of Holi festival from 2017 to 2021 are;
Holi 2017: Monday, March 12
Holi 2018: Friday, March 01
Holi 2019: Thursday, March 20
Holi 2020: Monday, March 09
Holi 2021: Sunday, March 28
What are the best places to experience Holi in Nepal?
Holi is celebrated for two days in Nepal. In the Himalayas and Hills, it is celebrated on the full moon day and in the Plain (Terai) it is celebrated the next day.
If you are in Kathmandu, visit Durbar Squares (especially Kathmandu Durbar Square), streets of Thamel, where people from all age groups and gender with water-filled balloons and water-guns and different colors.
If you are in Pokhara, enjoy visiting Lakeside and other streets. In the trekking trials, of Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and others, you can see children applying the colors to each other but the way can be different than that of Kathmandu.
The Bottom Line
There is no doubt that Holi is celebrated for happiness, benevolence, and prosperity. We want to make our life colorful as Holi. But all the people may not like the colors. Some may have problems with color as skin allergies, physical injuries and more. You are suggested to use skin-friendly dyes and color while celebrating this festival and make it memorable and enjoyable.
