Festival guide
Holi — The Festival of Colours
Holi (Fagu Purnima) is the most playful festival in Nepal — a riot of coloured powder, water and music marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Strangers smear each other's cheeks with abir, children ambush passers-by with water balloons (lola), and impromptu street parties erupt around Basantapur and Thamel. The hill regions (including Kathmandu and Pokhara) celebrate on the Falgun full moon; the Terai celebrates the next day. It is gloriously chaotic, and as a visitor you are very much a target — in the friendliest possible way.
- Date:
- Early-to-mid March (varies) (Falgun Shukla Purnima (BS calendar))
- Location:
- Nationwide; Kathmandu's Basantapur and Thamel, Pokhara, and the Terai
History and meaning
Holi celebrates the legend of Prahlad and Holika: the demoness Holika tried to burn the devout boy Prahlad but was destroyed instead, so good triumphed — commemorated by bonfires (Holika Dahan) the night before. The colours also mark spring and the love of Krishna and Radha. In Nepal the festival is called Fagu Purnima, after the month of Falgun in which it falls.
Hills vs Terai — two days
Uniquely, Nepal celebrates Holi on two days. The hill districts — including the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara — play on the day of the Falgun full moon. The Terai (Madhesh) celebrates the following day, in line with northern India. If you want to catch it, check which region you'll be in; you can in fact experience it twice by moving from hills to plains.
Abir, water and lola
The two weapons of Holi are abir (dry coloured powder) and water — flung from buckets, squirted from pichkari, and lobbed in balloons called lola. Children start days early, targeting anyone in the street from balconies above. Expect to be coloured head to toe; that's the point. Around Basantapur (Kathmandu Durbar Square) and Thamel, music and crowds build through the day into a massive, joyful melee.
How to play safely and respectfully
Wear clothes you'll throw away and consider goggles; some powders stain or irritate eyes. Apply coconut oil to skin and hair beforehand to help colour wash off. Always ask before colouring someone who isn't clearly playing — 'rang lagaaun?' ('may I put colour?'). Watch your phone and wallet in dry-bags; pickpocketing rises in the crowds. Many women prefer to celebrate in known groups, as the crowds can get rowdy — and beware spiked 'bhang' (cannabis) drinks offered by strangers.
Holika Dahan
The night before the colours, bonfires (Holika Dahan / Chir Haran) are lit at crossroads and squares — in Kathmandu, a ceremonial pole (chir) raised at Basantapur weeks earlier is burned. People gather around the fires, which symbolise burning away evil. It's a quieter, atmospheric prelude to the next day's mayhem.
What to say
The greeting is 'Happy Holi!'. Before colouring someone, ask 'rang lagaaun?' ('may I put colour on you?'). If you've had enough water for the day: 'pugyo, pugyo!' ('enough, enough!') — said with a laugh.
Phrases for this festival
The Nepali words to carry into the crowd, the temple, and the photo permission moment.
Photo: Unsplash
के म तपाईंलाई रङ लगाउन सक्छु?
May I put color on you?
Ke ma tapā̱īlāī raṅ lagāuna sakchhu?
Photo: Unsplash
यो कुन चाड हो?
What festival is this?
Yo kun chāḍ ho?
के यहाँ सुरक्षित छ?
Is it safe here?
Ke yahā̱ surakṣit chha?
के म फोटो खिच्न सक्छु?
May I take a photo?
Ke ma photo khichna sakchhu?
मैले कहाँ उभिने?
Where should I stand?
Maile kahā̱ ubhine?
Photo: Unsplash
नयाँ बर्षको शुभकामना!
Happy New Year
Nayā̱ barshako śubhakāmanā!
Frequently asked questions
When is Holi in 2026?
Holi is Monday, March 2, 2026 in the hill regions (Kathmandu, Pokhara) and Tuesday, March 3 in the Terai. The date is the Falgun full moon (Falgun 18, BS 2082) — confirm with Hamro Patro.
Why does Nepal celebrate Holi on two different days?
The hills (including the Kathmandu Valley) play on the full-moon day; the Terai (Madhesh) celebrates the next day, aligned with northern India. You can experience both by moving between regions.
Is Holi safe for tourists, especially women?
It's great fun but rowdy. Wear throwaway clothes and eye protection, guard your phone and cash, ask before colouring others, and celebrate in a group. Decline drinks from strangers — 'bhang' (cannabis) is sometimes added.
How do I get the colour off afterward?
Oil your skin and hair beforehand so powder washes out more easily, and use old clothes you don't mind ruining. Some colours stain for a day or two regardless — wear it as a souvenir.
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