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Festivals of Nepal

Holi - The main Spring Festival. 

The showy and mirthful aspects of Holi seem to recall lord Krishna's merrymaking with his girlfriends, the "gopi" in the meadows and on the banks of the Bagmati, at Pashupatinath. The other sources of this festival is an old Hindu tale:

Vishnu's arch-enemy was the demon Hiranyakasyap whose son, Pralhad gave all his devotion to Vishnu, thus infuriating his father to the extreme. He felt he had to punish him severely. So he ordered his servants to prepare a white-hot pillar to which Pralhad would be attached and burnt to death. Pralhad called silently for Vishnu's help. Instantly, he spotted an ant running up and down the glowing post. "This must be Vishnu's signal" thought the young man. He let himself tied to the pillar. Loudly, he praised Vishnu for his assistance and protection. He remained unharmed. Vishnu, moved by the boys devotion decided to put an end to Pralhads sufferings; he took the shape of Narasingha, half-lion, half-man. He attacked the demon and overpowered him. Then, he disemboweled him with his claws. Nepalese sculptors often represent that scene; it can be seen everywhere in the Valley.

What happens: Whereas Shivaratri leaves an impression of serenity, deep faith and silent devotion, Holi is the gayest and most carnival-like of all Nepali festivals. This is natural, for isn't it essentially the festival to welcome spring time ? Men and boys stroll in the streets dressed in their shabbiest clothes for on this particular festival, colored powder or water is sprayed on everyone within reach ! There is no reprieve neither for Nepalis nor foreigners. So be careful not to put on your best clothes. !

To draw the festival to an end, symbolic poles decorated with stripes of colored cloth are dumped in rivers. They represent the garments of the gopis which Lord Krishna is said to have taken away while the girls were having their bath !

Men and women, young and old, will frantically try to get hold of a strip of this cloth to keep it as a talisman during the whole year, convinced it will protect them from any sickness.

The tallest pole will be taken to Tundikhel where it will be burned. And here too, people will grab embers and ashes, keep them in a jar to chase away any evil spirit or influence that may be hiding in their homes.

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