KATHMANDU: Phagu Poornima, or Holi, is being celebrated with vibrant enthusiasm in the mountain and hilly regions today. In Kathmandu’s Basantapur area, people began playing Holi early in the morning, mixing with tourists from various countries to enjoy the festival of colors together. Traditionally, large gatherings mark this festival, with people smearing colors and splashing colored water on one another, singing, dancing, and celebrating the arrival of spring.

However, this year’s celebrations are more subdued as the country prepares for the upcoming elections on March 5. Authorities have requested people to celebrate at home rather than in large crowds, and many locals are busy with election campaigns, reducing the usual festive fervor.

Holi, celebrated every year on the full moon day of Falgun in the Lunar Calendar, carries a deeper cultural and social significance. According to legend, it symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood, justice over injustice, and virtue over vice. The festival encourages renouncing enmity, promoting goodwill, and fostering harmony among people of all ages, castes, and creeds.

The government has declared a public holiday for Phagu Poornima in the hill regions. In the Terai region, the festival is observed a day after the full moon, and the government has also granted a public holiday there on Tuesday.

President Ramchandra Paudel extended his greetings, wishing that the festival inspire efforts to eradicate social evils, protect indigenous culture, and maintain mutual harmony. He highlighted that Holi promotes love, intimacy, and goodwill by bringing families and communities together through colorful celebrations.

Other leaders, including Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, also extended their greetings to all celebrating Holi today and tomorrow.