Surely the most famous Hindu festival in the world, Holi is also known as the "festival of love". It calls for unity regardless of any resentments and rivalries that may have existed in the past. Holi is extremely popular in India and Népal, where it is celebrated over one day and night. The festival takes place in late February or early March during the full moon.

The History of Holi

Once called "Holika", Holi is a festival celebrated for centuries, with traces found in Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras, the most important and ancient text of the Hindu religion. It was originally a ritual performed by married women to bring happiness and well-being to their families. Its meaning has evolved over the many centuries.

The Myth of Holi

Holi means "burned" and numerous legends attempt to explain why. The most popular one is associated with the demon Hiranya Kashyap.

The demon wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship only him. To his great disappointment, his son Prahlad becomes a devoted follower of Lord Naarayana. Furious with rage, Hiranya Kashyap asked his sister, who through a blessing was immune to the burn of flames, to enter a fire with Prahlad in her arms. She was unaware that the blessing only worked when she was alone, and she paid the price for her deed while Prahlad was saved.

Other stories are associated with Holi, and all celebrate the victory of good over evil.

Celebrating Holi in Népal

If you are fortunate enough to be in Népal during Holi and particularly in Kathmandu, take to the streets and follow the crowd! Head to Ratna Park or to Basantapur and prepare yourself for an explosion of sound and color. The festival is a moment of joy and sharing during which Nepalis play with powders of different colors that they throw randomly at passersby and their friends. The evening is a more intimate moment shared only with their loved ones.

A few tips:

- Wear old clothes you don't want to keep. The colored powders stain and are difficult to remove.

- A mask can be useful to breathe more easily.

- Be careful with your personal belongings. In the crowd you can easily lose or break your glasses, for example.

- The crowd is very dense; if you are agoraphobic, stay away from the main celebration centers.

- Be careful what you drink! Don't accept unknown beverages, especially those with a milky appearance. Hindus drink Bhang, a cannabis cocktail, in honor of the god Shiva, which could cause you to lose consciousness.