Holi, festival of colours, being celebrated in Terai today

KATHMANDU: Today, the festival of Holi, also known as Fagu in the Terai region, is being celebrated with great fervor across various districts.

Holi, known as the festival of colors, is not just about vibrant hues but also symbolizes friendship, unity, closeness, and goodwill.

People gather with friends and family to play Holi, dousing each other in colors and spreading joy.

While Holi has traditionally been celebrated in the hilly and Himalayan regions, it holds special significance in the Terai, where it is observed with equal enthusiasm.

As the arrival of the spring season is heralded by the festival of Fagu, communities come together to celebrate joyously, smearing each other with colored powder and reveling in the spirit of togetherness.

The colors used in Holi carry their own significance. Blue symbolizes the victory of good over evil, while red is considered the favorite color of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. Yellow represents the divine blessings of Lord Ganesha, and red signifies power and prosperity.

Legend has it that during the Satya Yuga, Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was ordered by his father, Hiranyakashipu, to be burnt alive.

However, when Holika, Prahlad’s sister, attempted to execute the plan by sitting on a pyre with Prahlad, she got burned herself, while Prahlad remained unharmed.

This event symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood, which is commemorated through the festival of Holi.

In observance of this auspicious occasion, the government has declared a public holiday in the Terai districts today, allowing people to partake in the festivities and celebrate the spirit of Holi with joy and merriment.