Interesting and Unique Holi : The Festivals of Colors

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Holi is one of the important and interesting Hindu festivals celebrated by Hindus.  Holi is especially celebrated in Nepal and India. We called it Fagu Purnima also and celebrated on the full moon day on Falgun( Feb-march). This festival is known globally as festival of colors and celebrated as a symbol of a victory over Evil by Good. It also marks the end of winter and arrival of spring here in Nepal.  

Wish you all Happy Holi !

It starts one week before the Holi day and celebrated with colors, waters, dishes, sweets, music and dance. People play colors, color powders, water, water balloon and throwing colors and water on each other, visit relatives and friends. Playing colors, making especial dishes, roaming with friends, playing music and dancing are the main ways of celebrating this beautiful festival. Holi is an ancient hindu festival celebrated Nepal and India but it has become more famous with in non-hindu communities and other continents. 

Performing Puja !

There are some myth and stories and beliefs about the origin of Holi festival. Some popular myth are holi started during Lord Krishna’s Childhood, story of Hiranyakashyap and burning of his sister Holika and Story of Lord Shiva and Pravati.

Two colorful boys having silver color on their face !

I would like to share one popular story behind this festival.

Death of Holika:

This is based on the story of King Hiranyakashipu, his son Prahlad, his sister Holika and the Lord Vishnu. It is said Holi started from the day when Holika die by burning on fire. 

This festival is the symbol of victory over Evil by God !

The king was demon and believe himself is a strongest god and blessed with a lots of powers and cannot be killed by anything and wanted that, anyone and anywhere but his son Prahlad (who was devotee of another god Lord Vishnu) disagreed with King. He tried a lots of thing to convince his son but failed so King Hiranyakasyap planned to kill own son. He ploted a murder plan by using his sister Holika to kill Praladh. As part of the plan Holika was with a fire proof dress and she went to burning fire with carrying the nephew Praladh but due to devotion of Pralhad he is safely rescued by Lord Vishnu and Holika became ashes. Since holika died and the festival is named as Holi and celebrated as victory over evil by God. 

Boys are playing with colors as part of Holi !

We celebrated this festival today in Kathmandu and other hilly and Himalayan region but it is on tomorrow in Terai region.

Kinds Enjoying ! Targeting her friend with her plastic water gun !

Group of kids along the roadside celebrating holi !

I left my camera in my hometown out of the Kathmandu last week so couldn’t take photos. I would like to share some quality photos from a news portal as below,

People celebrating colors in holi festival ( Concert) !

Boys putting colors on each other . This is the major way of celebrating holi !

Group of tourists playing color powder in Pokhara ! 

People gathered and celebrated holi on Basantapur durbar Square a historical place in Kathmandu which is completely destroyed by mega earthquake in April 2015. People standing on the top of a brick structure you see behind the hand of the girl is basement of a historical temple collapsed by this earthquake. 

 I would like to dedicate this post to a wonderful challenge #culturevulture by @eroche ! 

 #culture #festival #life #colors #religion #nepal    #mycountry  

Thank you so much ! 

Namaste !

@akkha