Fagu Purnima
Fagu Purnima is the festival of colours. This festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.
There is a tradition of erecting a long bamboo stick (lingo) covered with pieces of different color cloths (Chir) in Bashantapur Durbar square, Kathmandu. In the eve of Holi the lingo is taken down and the Chir is burnt. The event is called Holika Dahan.
Celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of bonfire, pray that their internal evil be destroyed like Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. Next day is celebrated as Holi festival of colours, people smear each other with colours and drench each other. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used. People in region celebrate Holi the next day from Kathmandu Valley and other hilly reason of Nepal.
Festival of colours
Victory of good over evil, arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others
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According to a Hindu myth, demon king Hiranyakashipu who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Vishnu ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Following her brother’s instruction, Holika who had a boon from the God that fire would not harm her sat on a fire by taking Prahlad on her lap,
but was burnt to death while Prahlad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Vishnu.
From then onward, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.
It is believed that any premonitions can be avoided if “Tika” made from the ashes of the ‘Chir’ is put on one’s forehead or kept in the house.
but was burnt to death while Prahlad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Vishnu.
From then onward, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.
It is believed that any premonitions can be avoided if “Tika” made from the ashes of the ‘Chir’ is put on one’s forehead or kept in the house.
