Holi Festival Celebrated Amidst Restrictions in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu. The festival of colors, Fagu Purnima (Holi), is being celebrated today in the Kathmandu Valley and hilly districts. Local administrations in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur within the valley have prohibited gathering and celebrating the Holi festival on public roads and open streets. Following strict enforcement by the District Administration Offices, the usual flamboyance seen in the Kathmandu Valley since early Monday morning is absent.

In previous years, police used to apprehend those driving vehicles recklessly or causing disturbances while under the influence of intoxicants during Holi celebrations. Cultural programs featuring stages were organized in many places, including Basantapur in Kathmandu, in prior years. Due to heightened security measures by the administration following election security concerns, no stage programs are being held in Kathmandu this time.

SSP Pravin Dhital, spokesperson for the Valley Police Office, informed Ratopati that locals are celebrating the Holi festival peacefully in the valley. He stated, "So far, no arrests have been necessary."

According to SP Pawan Bhattarai of the District Police Range Kathmandu, 2,500 people have gathered at the Bhaleshwor Temple in Chandragiri. SP Bhattarai mentioned that about 300 people gathered at Basantapur, and there was no significant crowd elsewhere. He added, "No unruly activities have taken place in the name of Holi anywhere."

The District Administration Offices of all three districts in the valley had requested locals to play Holi only within their home compounds, keeping in mind 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 like Thamel, Durbar Marg, and Basantapur. This year, stage programs have been banned, informed Mukti Ram Rijal, the Assistant Chief District Officer of Kathmandu.

Local administration has also prohibited the consumption and distribution of intoxicants during the Holi occasion. Furthermore, the local administration has completely banned the use of clothing such as vests, T-shirts, shirts, and scarves bearing political party symbols or images of candidates while playing Holi. Photo: Krishna Khadka/Ratopati