Holi

Holi is a spring festival celebrated by the Hindus in India and Nepal. Holi is also called Festival of Colours or Festival of Love. Holi signifies the victory of good over evil, with the arrival of spring and the end of winter. It is also celebrated as a way of giving thanks for a good harvest. The festival is celebrated over two days, starting on the evening of the first day, which is a full moon day, in the Vikram Samvat Calendar on the month of Phalguna. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi. Devotees would gather, perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire and pray for the destruction of evil within themselves. The second and last day is celebrated as Rangwali Holi, which is a free-for-all festival of colours, in which the devotees and visitors will smear each other with colours and drench each other with water. This festivity does not only happen in the temple grounds but in open parks, outside the temples and buildings. There will also be group of drummers accompanied by other musical instruments. Holi is also celebrated in honour of the Hindu god, Vishnu and his follower Prahlada. It is also celebrated as a festival of love as well as a day to end and rid oneself of past errors and to forget and forgive.