Kathmandu District Administration Bans Public Holi Celebrations Amid Security Concerns

Kathmandu. The celebration of Holi in public spaces and open streets in Kathmandu has been prohibited on the day of Holi. The District Administration Office, in a notice published regarding the festival of colors, Fagu Purnima (Holi), which Nepalis are set to celebrate on Falgun 18, informed that playing Holi in public areas is banned.  

The local administration has urged people to play Holi only within their own compounds, taking into consideration the security for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21. In previous years, the District Administration Office used to grant permission for musical programs on the occasion of Holi in areas including Thamel, Durbar Marg, and Basantapur.

Kathmandu's Assistant Chief District Officer Mukti Ram Rijal informed that staging musical programs using platforms has been prohibited this year. The local administration has also banned the consumption and distribution of intoxicating substances.

Furthermore, the local administration has completely banned the use of clothing such as vests, T-shirts, shirts, and scarves bearing the election symbols and pictures of candidates while playing Holi.