Holi celebrations in pictures

Kathmandu / March 13: Phagu Purnima, commonly known as Holi, is being joyously celebrated in Kathmandu Valley and various hilly regions on Thursday with great enthusiasm and festivity.

Marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, people engage in playful activities such as smearing red vermilion powder, throwing coloured powder, and splashing water-filled balloons at each other.

Revellers have gathered in different parts of the Capital to celebrate Holi, creating a lively and colourful atmosphere.

Here are some moments from the Holi celebrations at Basantapur Durbar Square captured by the Post’s photojournalist Deepak KC.

Bhaktapur celebrates Holi festival with warmth and zeal

Holi celebration in Bhaktapur, which began on Friday with the arrival of Fagun Shukla Ashtami, is marked by unique rituals that distinguish the city’s festivities from the usual colour-throwing tradition seen across Nepal.

The highlight of Bhaktapur’s celebration takes place at the Bhimsen Temple, where a blend of traditional Newari culture and the symbolic worship of Bhimsen and Draupadi’s representations is central to the festivities. For centuries, locals have observed this distinct version of Holi.

From Fagun Shukla Ashtami to the full moon, the Bhimsen Guthi’s priestly figures, known as Gajyu, sing Newa folk songs during the Holi celebrations, marking the festival as a symbol of love and the arrival of spring. The rituals, performed on the Bhimsen Temple and the Dattatreya Temple premises, are an expression of devotion as well as celebration of the season.

On the first day, two people carry the wooden Bhimsen linga, travelling through the streets of Bhaktapur to Dattatreya Temple, where a ceremonial prayer is held. This act, called Chir Swayagu, signifies the beginning of the Holi festival in Bhaktapur. Devotees gather to offer prayers and donations to the Bhimsen linga for peace and prosperity. Local tradition holds that worshiping the Bhimsen linga brings blessings to the home.

The celebration peaks on Phagu Purnima, when the Bhimsen linga is carried around Bhaktapur before being returned to the Bhimsen Temple, where the week-long festival culminates. The ritual remains a vital part of Bhaktapur’s cultural identity, with increasing numbers of visitors participating each year.

Bhaktapur’s Holi offers rich cultural dynamics to the widely celebrated festival, depicting the historic city’s traditions.