INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, March 3
Holi, the festival of colours, started with the installation of a chir (bamboo pole) decorated with pieces of colourful
cloths, at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, Basantapur, at 7:45am today.
Erection of chir symbolises tree on which Hindu deity Krishna is
said to have hung milkmaids& clothes while they were bathing in the Jamuna River in northern India, according to the legend
Erection of the pole in Basantapur marks the beginning of the festival, which lasts for a week
At the end of Holi, the pole is reduced to ashes.
However, the main day of Holi will be celebrated on March 9 in Kathmandu valley and hilly
districts and on March 10 in the Tarai.
Holi is celebrated as a festival of reconciliation as revellers leave negative feelings like anger
and animosity aside and put colours on each other faces
People from different walks of life, age, and caste celebrate Holi with colours, delicious food, music and dance
The festival also symbolises the victory of good over evil
Holi is named after mythical demoness Holika.
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