KATHMANDU: The Phagu Festival also known as Holi, the festival of colors, has commenced with the installation today of the ritualistic wooden pole ‘Chir’ at the Hanumandhoka Palace premises based at historic Basantapur.
The pole was erected at the propitious hour of 7.57 am today, the time fixed by the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, an employee at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Care Office, Mitharam Pudasaini, said.
The Phagu Festival formally commences in the Kathmandu Valley after the installation of the ‘Chir’ at Basantapur on the eighth day of the bright half of the month of Falgun as per the lunar calendar. The Phagu festival is celebrated with gaiety and fervor until the full moon day.
People smeared multi-colors at one another in celebration when the ritualistic Chir was installed at Basantapur today.
The Committee has given the time of 7.11 pm on March 9 for pulling down the Chir. A tuft of colorful cloth ribbons are tied atop the Chir.
The Phagu Festival is celebrated in the districts of the hilly region on March 9 and in the districts of the Tarai (the southern plain region) on March 10.
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