Tourists Celebrate Holi in Pokhara Amidst Formal Event Ban

Kaski. Domestic and foreign tourists celebrated Holi in Pokhara, known as the tourism capital of the country, on Monday.

Although Holi festivities were grandly celebrated here in the past, no formal program was organized this time. However, tourists in the Lakeside area celebrated Holi by playing with colors alongside the locals.

Tourists appeared delighted to be able to play with colors. Xiong, a Chinese tourist visiting Pokhara for the first time, said she was very happy while enjoying playing with colors. "We were very happy. We had a lot of fun together with Nepali friends," she said.

Bishwaraj Paudel, President of the Restaurant and Bar Association (REWAN) Pokhara, stated that although no formal program was held because the District Administration Office did not grant permission for Holi due to election code of conduct, tourists spontaneously enjoyed themselves.

"There are good numbers of foreign tourists in Pokhara at this time. They enjoyed Holi by joining with the locals," he said.

Domestic and foreign tourists enjoyed themselves by getting smeared with various colors while sitting on the main road area of Lakeside and along the lake shore. In previous years, public Holi celebrations were organized in Pokhara.

This year, the District Administration has banned Holi and other public programs in consideration of the security sensitivity and election code of conduct for the House of Representatives election.