Kathmandu, March 7
A three-tiered Chir adorned with colorful flags was erected at Basantapur, Kathmandu, marking the official start of the Holi festival.
According to tradition, Holi begins across the country when the Chir 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.
Following this custom, the Manandhar community erected the Chir on Friday morning, initiating the festival. They celebrated by applying abir (coloured powder) to one another as a symbolic gesture of Holi’s commencement.
Similar announcements of Holi’s arrival were made by hanging colourful cloths at Pashupati, Sundari Chowk of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, and the Krishna Temple premises in Patan Durbar Square.
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.
To mark the occasion, a contingent of the Nepal Army played ceremonial music and fired gun salutes, adding to the festive atmosphere. Locals gathered at Basantapur to witness the Chir installation and celebrated by smearing abir on one another in joyous revelry.
