What is Holi?
होली
Holi, or Fagu Purnima, is the spring festival of colour: powder and water, songs and sweets, and the story of good winning over evil.
What Holi is
Holi, called Fagu Purnima in Nepali, is the festival of colour that welcomes spring. It falls on the full moon of Falgun. The story most often told is of Prahlad and Holika: Prahlad's devotion to Vishnu kept him safe from the fire that burned his aunt Holika instead. It is read as the victory of good over evil, and in many communities a bonfire the night before recalls it.
Over the years it has become mostly a festival of play. For many people who grew up with it, Holi is the day adults are allowed to behave like children.
How Holi is kept in Nepal
In the Kathmandu Valley the festival opens about a week early, when a bamboo pole hung with strips of cloth, the chir, is raised at Basantapur Durbar Square. On the day itself people throw coloured powder, called abir, and water at friends, family and strangers, and children fill balloons with coloured water.
Nepal keeps Holi on two days. The hills and mountains play on the full moon, and the Terai plays the next day. In the Terai, Fagu is also a time for folk songs, sweets such as gujiya, and sharing food with neighbours.
Holi away from home
In the US, Holi events are usually held on a weekend in March, in parks, temples and community halls, often with Indian friends and neighbours. Ask before you put colour on anyone, keep it away from eyes and faces if someone asks, wear old clothes, and check the venue first, because many parks and halls limit powder.
The Nepali and Indian calendars sometimes put Holi a day apart, so go by the date the organisers give.
Common questions
- Holi kahile ho? When is Holi 2027?
- Holi falls on the full moon of Falgun, usually between late February and March. The exact days are confirmed each year from the Nepal government calendar.
- Why is Holi on two days in Nepal?
- The hills and mountains keep Holi on the full moon day, and the Terai keeps it the day after, so you may see events on both.
- What is Fagu Purnima?
- It is the Nepali name for Holi. Fagu is the name of the festival and purnima is the full moon it falls on.
- What colours are safe to play with?
- Choose colours sold as skin-safe or non-toxic, keep them out of eyes and mouths, and rinse off afterwards. If anyone prefers not to be coloured, respect that.