Mass gathered at Kathmandu Durbar Square to celebrate Holi

One of the major Hindu festivals, Holi is celebrated with passion and jollity on the full moon day in the month of Falgun which normally falls during the month of March of Gregorian calendar.

Entire country drowns into the festive mood when its holi. Water filled balloons  and the colors occupy the entire atmosphere while people celebrate Holi. Colorful faces drenched with water, wonder everywhere during Holi. Holi welcomes spring season and hence it is also called a spring festival. Even nature seems to rejoice when its time to play Holi. Fields full with crops indicates a good harvesting season and the flowers color the surroundings filling aromatic fragrance in the air.

Every destination today is a celebration point

Festival celebrated to enjoy the victory of good over evil has several myths. However, the most popular myth is itself a very interesting story. Hiranya Kashyap, a demon king wanted his son Prahlad to be killed as Prahald was one of the biggest devotees of Lord Bishnu. Hiranya Kashyap who considered Bishnu as his biggest enemy was so furious at his son. After several attempts to change his son’s perception he failed and hence he decided to get his own son killed. So he ordered his sister Holika to step in to the burning fire with Prahald in her laps. Holika was privileged with a boon to survive inside the fire. As ordered, Holika entered the fire with Prahald. But, to surprise Holika the most fearsome manifestation of Narasimha emerged from nowhere. Narasimha’s body was of Human and its head was of animal. Holika burnt to ashes and Narasimha tore Hiranyakashyap chest to death and saved Prahald. From then onwards Holi has been observed to celebrate the victory of Lord Bishnu over evil Holika and Hiranya Kashyap as per the Hindu myth.

To capture the moment of Holi, you have to be the part of it

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the major site of Holi celebration in Nepal. Mass, music, colors and fun, what else would anyone look for when everyone there is celebrating this festival of colors and water in the friendliest mood possible. Here we have a photo gallery on Holi celebrated at Kathmandu Durbar Square and in the streets of Kathmandu.

Enthusiastic marketer selling Nepalese flags

I need to raise up to see whats happening.

Everyone here has come to enjoy

Got some colors- Time for a short break

Holi- festival that makes new friends

We have got the looks dude!

Crazy mass thronging in

Everyone is beautifully colored so why not us?

Japanese students enjoying Holi

Hit the music and move your colorful body

Originally we wore white shirts

Backstage is also full of fun

Singing with the celeb

Let me capture a moment of Holi!

Colors fill the air

Colors, music, water and dance- WOW Holi

Ocean of people- a rare view

Nepali or foreigner- Everyone celebrates Holi

A view at Kathmandu Durbar Square

Hindu lady offering prayers at KTM Durbar Square

Colorful ride can be more fun

Few pretty faces of Holi

Both signs do make friends

Triangular Nepalese flags rises in the mass

Explore our photography tours in Nepal

Though the actual festival is celebrated on 19th March,  Kathmandu is already celebrating Holi – the festival of colors. According to the valley’s custom the festival commences with the erection of the ceremonial bamboo pole, known as ‘Chir’ at the centre of Basantapur Durbar square. The ‘Chir’ is already standing aloft at its place with devotees having erected it on March 13th. The valley’s denizens began the festival by offering the first colors of Holi or abir (colored powder) to the pole. The festival reaches its climax on  March 19th, when the whole city is a riot of colors with friend as well as strangers applying Holi on each other and splashing water from  ‘pitchkaris‘ (sort of water gun), water balloons or buckets drenching all and sundry. There is much laughter and merriment as people join in the festivities.

Holi – Festival of colors

Religious significance of Holi

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Official Launch of  Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Date: 26th Feb
Venue: Tundikhel
Time: 1 pm onwards

26th February 2010 is a big day for the Nepalese tourism fraternity, as the country will see the much awaited official launch of Nepal Tourism Year – 2011. In Kathmandu, to mark the launch, a rally has been organized from Basantapur Durbar Square to Tundikhel. All members of tourism fraternity, business entrepreneurs and people from all walks of life are invited to take part in the rally with the national flag.The programme also includes a peace torch being brought from Lumbini to Kathmandu. The NTY 2011 secretariat head will pass on the torch to a renowned personality. After the Kathmandu launch, similar programmes will be organised at Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Chitwan, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj.

Check our photos on the event

Nuwakot Mahotsav

Date: 26th Feb
Venue: Nuwakot

Holi: Festival of Color

Date: 28th Feb
Venue: All over Nepal