"Nepali revelers smear vermillion powder on each other's face..."

#12153090

13 March 2025

Foreign tourists smear colors on each other's faces as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2025. The festival, also called the Spring festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The first day of the festival is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan, and the second day is Dhuleti or Holi. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits. The next day, people smear one another with different colors, including Abir or red vermilion powder. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, Fagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People of all ages participate in the festival with enthusiasm. As one of the widely observed festivals in the country, it begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with the burning of the 'Chir', which is installed earlier.

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#12153105

13 March 2025

Foreign tourists smear colors on each other's faces as they celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2025. The festival, also called the Spring festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The first day of the festival is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan, and the second day is Dhuleti or Holi. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits. The next day, people smear one another with different colors, including Abir or red vermilion powder. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, Fagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People of all ages participate in the festival with enthusiasm. As one of the widely observed festivals in the country, it begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with the burning of the 'Chir', which is installed earlier.

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#12132112

7 March 2025

Nepali revelers smear vermillion powder on each other's faces after erecting the sacred bamboo pole, Chir, at Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 7, 2025. The bamboo, which is 32 feet long and six inches thick, is suitable to be erected as Chir with pieces of cloth tied on its three layers of umbrella-like structure, symbolizing Nepali gods and goddesses. The tradition of erecting the ''Chir'' is believed to have its historical roots in the story of Prahlad from the medieval period. Prahlad's aunt, Holika, sits on fire with Prahlad on her lap to kill him, but she gets burned down instead, leaving Prahlad unaffected. This story is related to the erection of Chir as its symbol. To mark the death of Holika, who had the boon to remain unaffected by fire but gets burned down, and to celebrate the victory of godliness over devil forces, Holi is believed to have started, and the burning of Chir is based on it.

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#12132116

7 March 2025

Nepali revelers smear vermillion powder on each other's faces after erecting the sacred bamboo pole, Chir, at Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 7, 2025. The bamboo, which is 32 feet long and six inches thick, is suitable to be erected as Chir with pieces of cloth tied on its three layers of umbrella-like structure, symbolizing Nepali gods and goddesses. The tradition of erecting the ''Chir'' is believed to have its historical roots in the story of Prahlad from the medieval period. Prahlad's aunt, Holika, sits on fire with Prahlad on her lap to kill him, but she gets burned down instead, leaving Prahlad unaffected. This story is related to the erection of Chir as its symbol. To mark the death of Holika, who had the boon to remain unaffected by fire but gets burned down, and to celebrate the victory of godliness over devil forces, Holi is believed to have started, and the burning of Chir is based on it.

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#12132121

7 March 2025

Nepali revelers smear vermillion powder on each other's faces after erecting the sacred bamboo pole, Chir, at Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 7, 2025. The bamboo, which is 32 feet long and six inches thick, is suitable to be erected as Chir with pieces of cloth tied on its three layers of umbrella-like structure, symbolizing Nepali gods and goddesses. The tradition of erecting the ''Chir'' is believed to have its historical roots in the story of Prahlad from the medieval period. Prahlad's aunt, Holika, sits on fire with Prahlad on her lap to kill him, but she gets burned down instead, leaving Prahlad unaffected. This story is related to the erection of Chir as its symbol. To mark the death of Holika, who had the boon to remain unaffected by fire but gets burned down, and to celebrate the victory of godliness over devil forces, Holi is believed to have started, and the burning of Chir is based on it.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.