Holi

The festival draws on the story of Prahlad, a devout boy whose father tried to have him killed. His aunt Holika, immune to fire, sat with him in a blaze, but her immunity failed while Prahlad survived, and the bonfire remembers that reversal.

Holi also has a strong seasonal meaning. It falls at the end of the dry winter, when the wheat harvest is approaching and the landscape begins to turn green again. The colours mirror the flowering trees of early spring.

The night before Holi, communities light a bonfire and circle it with offerings, marking the end of winter. The next day is given over to colour, music, and visiting friends and relatives.

In the Kathmandu Valley, Holi is especially associated with the Newar communities of Patan and Bhaktapur, where processions, traditional music, and the throwing of coloured water continue for much of the day.

Wear clothes you do not mind ruining, protect your phone and camera in a waterproof bag, and avoid carrying valuables into crowded areas. Coloured powder can irritate eyes and skin, so sunglasses and a light scarf are useful.

Not everyone wants to be covered in colour. Ask before throwing powder at strangers, avoid targeting elderly people and small children, and step away from any group that seems too aggressive. The festival is at its best when it stays playful.

Holi (होली) is a hindu festival observed mainly in Terai and Kathmandu Valley. It falls around March, in the Nepali month of Falgun, and typically lasts 1–2 days.

The main day is Fagu Purnima, when colour throwing and the holi bonfire takes centre stage. It is a national public holiday, so offices, schools, and many businesses close.

Festival dates follow the lunar Bikram Sambat calendar, so the English month range (March) is approximate and can shift by a couple of weeks from year to year. Confirm the current year's date with a local calendar or your hotel before booking transport.

Expect Terai and Kathmandu Valley to be busier than usual in the days around Fagu Purnima. Book accommodation and long-distance travel early, carry cash, and allow extra time for crowds and road closures.