Parmeshwar Devkota

Looking at the way Holi, the festival of colours, was celebrated in Kathmandu this year, it can be said that the trend has changed for the better.
Officially, the Holi festival begins with the erection of a multi-coloured chir (pole) on the premises of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square on Asthami, the eighth day of full moon. The pole remains there for eight days. Though there is no change in official calendar, the Holi revellers in Nepal seemed to have celebrated the festival only for two days. They also marked it in a more dignified and peaceful manner as compared to the previous years.

On the 17th and 18th of March this year, thousands of people belonging to various castes, creeds gathered on their rooftops, neighbourhoods, quadrangles and streets with blue, yellow, green, violet colours on faces. They were heard saying ‘Happy Holi’. But they were found smearing the colours on the face of others only after taking their consent. People of all ages were seen taking part in the festival. It was on the 17th of March, thousands of locals as well as foreigners hit the street of Kathmandu taking colours in their hands. The cheerful lots were dancing and jumping on each other with full of joy and enthusiasm. Such a scenario was hardly seen in the past.

It shows that Nepali people are now becoming more cultured. In the past, Holi revellers used to smear colours on other's faces forcibly. In those days, Holi meant throwing dirty water and colours at the pedestrians, commuters and onlookers without their consent. Unruly boys of neighbourhoods used to target girls, women and children during the festival.

The festival of Holi has long history and many legends associated with it. As the festival of happiness, harmony and unity, Holi is also called Phagu. Vedic Aryan and Buddha civilisations worship nature and natural entities. That is why we have six seasons as per the change in environment. Holi, according to Hindu pundits, signifies the advent of spring which is the season of germination and new life.

Holi is also called Madanotsab, that is, festival of Madan. Madan is the name of Kamadev, the god of love, lust and desire. Vedas have considered erotic love as the first requirement of the worldly life. As Holi is performed in honour of the Lord Kamadev, the participation of youths and married people in the festival is logical and appreciable.

The other story is that King Hiranyakashyap did not believe in Lord Bishnu, but his son Prahlad was devout follower of Bishnu. As the father found his son worshipping Lord Bishnu, he got angry and tried to kill the son on the spot. As the boy leaned to a pillar, the angry father asked him where his god was. As the boy showed the pillar, the king hit the pillar with a sword. Amazingly, Lord Bishnu came out of the pillar in the form of giant creature and killed Hiranyakashyap instantly. Thus, the festival signifies the triumph of good forces over the evil ones.

Legends and myths may vary from community to community. But as long as we celebrate the festival of colours and harmony in a polite and civilised manner, we can share such festivals with other communities living in different parts of the world as it has been observed in various parts of the United States and the United Kingdom.