The ancient Hindu festival of Holi, which lasts for eight rowdy days, is just around the corner. Every year, a battalion of boisterous teenagers, mischievous children and even men and women find themselves drenched with water, sacred red powder or splashed with scarlet liquid. Purportedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, the religious significance is often forgotten and almost always overshadowed of the throwing of water balloons and color on passers-by.

The ancient Hindu story of Holi has it that a demoness named Holika was the sister of a wicked king, who had a saintly son and was a devotee of Lord Krishna, much to his father’s dismay. After threats of his father and aunt did not dissuade the boy from worshipping his beloved Lord, the King ordered his son to be trampled by an elephant, but the prince survived by chanting names of Krishna, and the beast knelt before him in humility. Next, the irreligious king had the boy tossed from a rocky precipice overlooking a mighty river, but he was saved over and over again, for Lord Krishna protects those who love and revere him. Finding no other way, Holika, believing herself to be immune to fire, grabbed the boy and jumped into a blazing fire. But Lord Krishna came to his rescue once again, for when the flames died, Holika had succumbed to the fire and the unscathed Prince emerged safe. Hence the raucous antics during Holi are thought to celebrate her termination.

The festival of Holi also holds a special meaning to the people of Itum Bahal, an ancient courtyard near Thamel. Legend has it that on this day, a wrathful ogre by the name of “Gurumappa,” who used to eat the children of Itum Bahal was exiled on this day to Tundikhel, an open field. Till today, the people of Itum Bahal prepare a giant feast and take it to Tundikhel during Holi Purnima. A big tree in Tundikhel symbolizes, the ogre “gurumappa,” where the feast is placed to pacify his hunger for little children!!!

The orgy of color throwing begins on the eighth day of the waxing moon in March, when an eight meter ceremonial pole with tiers, decorated with colorful strips of cloth is erected at Basantapur in Kathmandu Durbar Square. The pole is taken down with the arrival of Holi Purnima, or full moon of holi on the final day, and is later burnt, re-enacting Holika’s fiery death. According to tradition, no one should take offence when water and coloured powder is splashed at you, but the friendly custom is often not taken in good humour by all, so if you are a tourist, then stay away from these rowdy crowds on March 25. There is no way that anybody can stop the wild celebrations, so if you can’t beat them, then just join them. It will be an experience to remember!!

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