The festival of colors, Holi, is being celebrated with great joy today in the Terai districts of Nepal. As per tradition, Holi is observed in the Terai a day after Fagu Purnima is celebrated in the hilly and Himalayan regions.
The festival is being marked today in districts including Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Udayapur, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur.
In Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), where there is a significant population of Magar and Tharu communities, Holi is celebrated with special importance. The festival is regarded as a celebration that burns away all forms of discrimination and fills people with joy by coloring one another.
According to Pandit Trilochan Bhurtel, Holi serves as a source of inspiration for equality and harmony. He said the festival symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood, sincerity over deceit, and righteousness over injustice, fostering unity in diversity. Alongside its religious importance, Holi plays a vital role in promoting social harmony and enthusiasm.
Originally established as a spring festival in ancient times, Holi later became associated with legends of Prahlad, Krishna, Holika, and Dhundha, and came to be known by various names such as Fagu, Phaguwa, Holi, and Hori. The festival carries its own cultural significance through music, dance, feasting, and the spirit of brotherhood, with people playing drums like dhol, damphu, and mridanga while setting aside differences.
While Monday was declared a public holiday in the hilly districts for Holi, today has been declared a public holiday in the Terai districts.
Superintendent of Police Yubaraj Khadka of the District Police Office in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) said a special security plan has been implemented to ensure the festival is celebrated in a dignified, safe, and peaceful manner. He warned that those engaging in activities such as applying colors without consent, throwing water balloons, creating unnecessary disturbances, fighting, or behaving indecently will face legal action.
He also urged the public to celebrate Holi only with familiar people, avoid applying colors against anyone’s will, refrain from using chemical colors harmful to skin and eyes, not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, strictly follow traffic rules, and immediately contact the police hotline 100 if any criminal activity is observed.
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