27th Feb, 2026
Infotrekking
One of the most important and joyful festivals of Nepal is Holi, widely known as the Festival of Colors. This special celebration is observed with great excitement, happiness, and energy throughout the country. Holi is deeply connected to the Hindu religion and is also celebrated in India and many parts of South Asia. Over the years, it has become popular in other countries as well.
During Holi, people gather with family, friends, and neighbors to share love and joy. They throw colored powders and water at each other, dance to music, and enjoy delicious sweets and drinks. The festival marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Streets, villages, and cities become bright and lively with different colors and smiling faces.
If you want to experience one of the most vibrant and unforgettable Holi celebrations in Nepal, you can plan your visit during this spring Holi festival. For adventure lovers, it is also a great idea to combine the celebration with a trek to Everest Base Camp. Enjoying the colorful festival before or after your Himalayan journey can make your Nepal trip even more special and memorable.
The story behind the Holi festival is that there was a king called Hiranya Kashyap who had a son named Prahlad once in the ancient days. The son was a pure soul, a devotee of Lord Vishnu though his father never liked to see him worshiping Lord Vishnu. Yet loyalty to Prahlad angered Hiranya Kashyap and instigated a plot to conspire to destroy him by fire. He asked her sister Holika, who had been given special power by the god to be fireproof, to kill Prahlad by her strength. As per the order, Holika took him in her lap with a strong intention to kill Prahlad and sat in the flame. Surprisingly, Prahlad, who had no fire-proof blessings, survived without harm from the flames, though Holika was burnt in the fire despite the god's blessing. From that day on, the Holi festival has started to mark the triumph of good over evil.
Holi is also known as the Spring Festival-as it signals the spring start of the season of hope and joy. It is defined by enjoyable experiences such as meeting old and new friends, pouring colors into each other throughout the body, merrymaking and laughing, ignoring fear and pains, forgiving as well as strengthening relationship ties. Winter's darkness goes ahead as Holi promises bright summer days. Nature too seems to be rejoicing at Holi's arrival and wearing its best clothes. Shops in Nepal begin selling colors for Holi weeks ahead, and people start gathering wood and fuel for the bonfires in parks, community centers, near temples, and other open spaces during the days ahead of the festival. People stock up on pigments, milk, party drinks, and seasonal festive foods such as malpuas, mathri, and other regional delicacies within local homes.
Holi festival falls in Falgun, 11th month of Nepal's Calendar. The Holi Festival is in March, but sometimes late in February, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Some of the traditional colors:
Haldi (turmeric) powder is the traditional yellow color source. Sometimes to get the right shade, this is combined with chickpeas, grams, or other flours.
Beetroot is the typical magenta and purple color source.
Palash or tesu flowers, also known as the forest flame, are common sources of bright red and deep orange colors. Alternate examples and shades of red include powdered red sandalwood, dried hibiscus flowers, madder fruit, radish, and pomegranate.
Gulmohar tree Mehendi and dried leaves provide a source of green color.
grape varieties, amla (gooseberry) fruits, and vegetable carbon (charcoal) give black to gray colors.
The dried tea leaves provide a source of colored brown water.
Holi is a happy and colorful festival celebrated in Nepal. It is known as the festival of colors, love, and friendship. On this day, people put colored powder on each other to show happiness and good wishes. Families, relatives, and friends gather together to celebrate. They eat sweets, drink special beverages, sing songs, and dance to music. The whole day is full of fun and joy.
In Nepal, Holi is celebrated for two days. It is celebrated first in the Kathmandu Valley and hilly regions, and the next day in the Terai region.
In Kathmandu Valley, a long bamboo pole called 'lingo' is placed at Basantapur Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The pole is decorated with colorful pieces of cloth called 'Chir'. On the evening of Holi, the pole is taken down and the cloth is burned in a traditional ceremony. This event is called 'Holika Dahan' or 'Chir Haran'. People also make small fires in villages and towns, play music, and perform dances.
In the past, people used bamboo water guns called *pichkari* to spray colored water. Today, many people use plastic water guns and water balloons, known as 'Lola' in Nepali. Children and young people often start throwing water balloons several days before the main festival day.
Holi brings people together and spreads happiness, unity, and positive energy across the country.
If you are in Kathmandu the best places are the streets of Thamel and Durbar Square. Durbar square can be completely packed with people, while Thamel's small streets are filled with children looking for water-guns and balloons to sneak up. In case you’re in Pokhara basically walk along Lakeside Road. Additionally, just in case you're trekking in a very portion of the less populated locales, you're always going to find kids playing Holi, however, it is not exactly reminiscent of being in Kathmandu.
Holika Dahan is often celebrated in India with pyres of firewood collected during the days leading to the festival. People often throw twigs, wood, and dried leaves into bonfires. Many families will place Holika's effigy. During this festive, whole streets and cities will become red, green, and yellow as people throw colorful powder into the air and sprinkle with it. people often drench each other into the water, drink intoxicating beverages, dance to live street music, and have yummy foods.