Most popularly celebrated by Hindus, Nepalis belonging to other religions also celebrate Holi.

The festival begins with the Nepali culture of installing Chir, a traditional bamboo pole decorated with strips of colorful cloths, in Basantpur a week before the festival arrives. Then the actual celebrations begin across the country and last for almost a week.

The celebrations offering traditional prayers, playing with colors and water, singing, dancing, playing music, along with exchanging joy, delicious foods, among others with family and friends. Gujiya, Thandai, Bhalla, Kanji Wada and Dahi are some of the dishes made during Holi.

While hilly regions of the country begin the celebrations with the installation of Chir, Terai region celebrates the occasion a day after celebrations in hilly areas of the country.

Holi marks the beginning of spring season and arrives at a time when the agricultural fields are on pace for a better harvest. Burning of Chir marks the conclusion of the Holi festival in Nepal.

Preparations Ready

To ensure public safety and an undisturbed festive environment, the Metropolitan Police Range of Kathmandu is deploying 1,500 police security across the Kathmandu Valley.

Besides 106 police teams, 20 mobile teams are also planned to avoid discrepancies in law and order situation during the celebrations, says SSP Bishow Raj Pokharel, Chief, MPR.

All Set for Holi Celebrations!

“I can’t wait to go to Gokarna Forest Resort for ‘Colors Republic’ where there will be colours, music, dance and a lot of other actives,” says Kavita Gautam of Biratnagar.

Best part of Holi can be witnessed at Durbar Square and in the streets of Thamel.

Though usually celebrated in the month of March, the actual date of the Holi festival varies every year and is indicated by the appearing of the full moon before the spring equinox.

The Legend Behind ‘Holi’

The emergence of Holi festival dates back to the Krutayuga period during the times of demon-king Hiranyakasap.

As part of his efforts to kill his god-loving son Prahlada, Hiranyakasap places Prahlada on the lap of his demon-sister Holika and plans to put Prahlada under fire along with Holika, as Holika has the boon of fighting away fire. However, the situation happens otherwise. Due to Prahlada’s devotion to Lord Vishnu, Holika turns into ashes completely and Prahlada comes out safe.

So, the festival of Holi is celebrated marking the victory of Prahlada over Holika. A night before ‘Holi’ day, public light bonfires across the streets indicating the death of Holika.

President Bhandari Extends Holi Greetings

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has extended her greetings to the Nepali citizens on the occasion of  Holi or Fagu Poornima.

In a message of best wishes extended today, President Bhandari expressed that the festival of colors may encourage social harmony, national unity, tolerance, fraternity and solidarity among all the Nepalis of different cultures.

Likewise, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has also offered his best wishes of peace, prosperity, mutual trust and a higher degree of social values to all the Nepalis on this occasion.

Impact of ‘Coronavirus’ on Holi

Holi in Nepal is celebrated with great fervor across the country annually. However, 2020 Holi celebrations are slightly different from the way it’s celebrated so far.

The coronavirus outbreak has taken a toll on the 2020 Holi celebrations.

As the coronavirus has spread across the world affecting around 109 countries, the Nepali Government has banned the mass gatherings and celebrations on the occasion of Holi.

The government has suspended the Holi celebrations in Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square and other most visited places during the festival.

This time, it will be “Safe Holi Year 2020”.

The government’s strong response comes on the heels of the WHO’s statement that Nepal is at high risk of the new virus.

So far, Nepal has no case of coronavirus infection, and even the 4 suspected cases tested negative. But the government has been implementing stringent measures as the country lacks the minimum healthcare facilities and procedures to combat the coronavirus infection if it enters the nation.

The novel virus has infected around 110,087 people globally and killed 3,830.

Nepali Sansar wishes you ‘Safe Holi Year 2020’!

The post Nepal Celebrates ‘Holi’, A Festival of Colors appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The week-long festival began on March 14, 2018 with the traditional procedure of installing a chir (a bamboo pole) at the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square of Basantapur, Kathmandu.

Continuing from then, the annual festival has finally reached its final (main) day of celebrations i.e. March 20, 2019.

While hilly regions of the country celebrate on March 20, 2019, Terai region celebrates it on March 21, 2019.

On this special day named after demoness Holika, people from all walks of life play with colors and water as a mark of leaving negative thoughts in mind and bringing in new happiness.

Hindu devotees perform special prayers, cook delicious foods and share the same with their family, friends and relatives around.

Also known as Fagu Purnima, the Holi festival marks the beginning of spring season in Nepal.

Wishing the nation on this auspicious day, Nepal Government issued some directives to avoid any possible misconducts as part of celebrations.

“It is punishable by law to misbehave with and intimidate pedestrians and passers-by and throw water-filled balloons and plastic pouches or smear colorful powders on their faces forcefully on the pretext of Holi celebrations,” the government said in an official release.

Nepali Sansar wishes you happy Holi!

The post Nepal Celebrates Week-long Holi Festival appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Also known by the names Deepawali and Yamapanchak, Tihar is the second biggest Nepalese festival after Dashain and usually falls in the month of October or November every year.

Yamapanchak, meaning the five days of Yama, honors Yama Raj, the God of Death.

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and luck is also widely worshiped during this period.

The festivals brings together the key aspects of nature- people, animals and colors. As part of the festive rituals, cows, crows, dogs and ox are worshiped across the country symbolizing the manifestation of various gods.

Day 1: Kag Tihar, The Day of Crows

Tihar festival begins with the worshiping of crow, which is considered as the messenger of death in Hindu tradition. Crows are considered to be the messengers of death and the belief is that by pleasing them, they would not bring any news of sorrow to the family.

On the day, Nepali Hindus offer different food items to crows early in the morning and pray for luck, as they believe crows bring in messages to houses at the start of the dawn.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar, The Day of Dogs

The second day of the festival is dedicated to dogs and is celebrated as Kukur (dog) Tihar.

On the Kukur Tihar day, the entire Nepali Hindu community worships dogs owing to their religious significance as the guard of Lord Yama, the god of death. It is also believed that dogs can lead the souls of the dead to heaven.

Dogs are offered special prayers with tika, garland and delicious foods.

Day 3: Gai Tihar, The Day of Cows

The third day of Tihar is called Gai Tihar and marks the worshiping of holy cows, which hold great significance in the Hindu tradition. On the day, cows and goddess Lakshmi are worshiped with great fervor as cows are considered to be a form of goddess Lakshmi.

People illuminate their homes with bright lights, candles & oil lamps and keep their doors and windows open to welcome prosperity. Additionally, people play cards and light fireworks.

Day 4: Goru Puja, The Day of Oxen

The fourth day of Tihar witnesses the worshiping of oxen and is celebrated as Goru Puja. Apart from Goru Puja, this auspicious day also marks three different pujas including Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja.

On this auspicious day, Vaishnavism followers perform the Govardhan Puja, where believers worship a Govardhan Parvat made of cow dung.

After worshiping animals for three days, the fourth day justifies the concept of worshiping the soul, which is common in all beings. The Newari community performs the Mha Puja and worship their own souls.

Day 5: Bhai Tika or Bhai Duj, the Day of Colors

This is the fifth and the concluding day of the 5-day long Tihar festival.

On this day, sisters adorn the foreheads of their brothers with Paanch Rangi Tika, a combination of five different colors including yellow, green, red, blue and white, wishing them a long life and prosperity.

While sisters offer Shaguns (wishing good luck) of dry fruits such as hazelnut (Katus), walnuts, sweets and fruits, brothers in return give them gifts and money along with blessings of protection assurance for the rest of their life.

Visitors to Nepal during this time can enjoy the grand Tihar festival in Kathmandu with colorful night lighting and many cultural and religious celebrations. Rani Pokhari temple, which is open to the public only on the fifth day of Tihar each year, is another attraction. The five days of the Tihar festival provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Nepalese hospitality and leave with memories that last a lifetime.

The post Nepal’s Biggest Festival Season: Tihar, A Festival of Humans, Birds, Animals and Colors appeared first on Nepali Sansar.