Holi: Festival of colours being celebrated today

People in Kathmandu Valley and hilly districts will observe Holi, the festival of colours, also known as Fagu Purnima, by exchanging wishes today.

Revellers, young and old alike, celebrate the festival by smearing colourful powders and throwing water-filled pouches or balloons at each other. The festival will be celebrated in the Tarai region on Monday.

The festival marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The festival will be observed in Tarai tomorrow.

The first day of the festival is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan while the second-day Dhuleti or Holi. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, the symbol of the triumph of good over evil, is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits.

The next day, people enjoy smearing one another with different colours including Abir or red vermilion powder.

However, this year coronavirus fear has taken its toll on the festival as the government has urged citizens to take cautions and safety measures while celebrating the festival at home.

Fagu Poornima carries its own speciality and significance. People of all age enjoy the festival with enthusiasm.

The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon on the lunar calendar.

According to a Hindu myth, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from Brahma that fire would not burn her, sat on fire with Prahlad on her lap. However, she was burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Vishnu.

From then onwards, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.