KATHMANDU: The price of gold has increased while that of silver has decreased in the domestic market today.

Compared to Monday, the price of gold has increased by Rs 2,500 per tola (11.66 grams) and silver price has decreased by Rs 205 per tola.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold is set at Rs 328,600 per tola, while the price of one tola of silver is determined to be Rs 5,815 today.

On Monday, one tola of gold was traded at Rs 326,100 and the same quantity of silver was traded at Rs 6,020.

According to the international media, an ounce of gold is being traded at USD 5,278 and the same amount of silver at USD 95 in the international market today.

KATHMANDU: The Holi festival is being celebrated with much fanfare in the Tarai districts today. The festival was marked in mountainous and hilly districts on Monday.

The festival is being celebrated in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Purba), Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim), Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Udayapur, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.

This festival is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the month of Fagun in the Lunar Calendar.

The Holi festival is being celebrated as an ancient tradition which brings a message of mutual harmony and goodwill with the arrival of spring. People smear colours and splash coloured water on one another in the course of celebrating this festival.

People gather around the major thoroughfares dancing and singing.

As per legend, the festival is also celebrated as a victory of truth over falsehood, with people of all ages, caste and creed joining the celebration.

The government has been giving a public holiday on the occasion of this festival.