Holi, the festival of colours, was observed throughout the hilly region, including the capital, on Wednesday (March 7) and throughout the Terai region on Thursday. People celebrated the occasion throwing colours and water with friends and family.
Also known as Fagu, the day marks victory of virtue over vice. The festival began a week ago after Chir, a ceremonial bamboo pole, was erected in Basantapur, Kathmandu. The week-long festival came to an end on Wednesday after the pole was incinerated.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month (Falgun) but for years, youngsters used to hit water balloons to pedestrians, usually girls, on the road even days before the festival. However, the unhealthy trend has decreased immensely this year. This is probably because of the Police’s strong action against those who harass others.
As merry as the celebration was, the festival was also marred by sad news. Two people died after falling off the roof of their houses while playing holi. The deceased have been identified as Simron Karki, 16, of Kadaghari, and Donik Shrestha, 8, a resident of Bhardakali, Hattigauda.
Karki fell down from a three-storey building and died while undergoing treatment at B and B hospital, while Shrestha died at TU Teaching hospital during treatment.
