Holi - Bonfire night

Holi is one of Nepal's main festivals. It is a week long festival but the main activities are mostly limited to three days.

The first day invloves the instialtion of the Holi pole, "chir', a bamboo pole, fringed with strips of cloth representing good luck charms. It is said to symbolize the tree on which lord Krishna hung the milkmaids' garments while they were bathing. The pole is put up in the street at Basantapur, the festivities and worship commences for the week.

On the second last day of Holi bonfires are lit to symbolise the fire which killed the demoness Holika.

The last day is celebrated by throwing coloured water, water bombs and coloured powder at people, the festival can get quiet messy. When walking in the streets tourists should be aware of the high possibility of being targeted by those celebrating Holi.