February 26, Kathmandu – The Falgun Holi festival in the Kathmandu Valley begins with the erection of a three-story bamboo structure adorned with colorful flags on the eighth day of Falgun Shukla Ashtami according to the Nepali calendar.
On this auspicious occasion, pieces of colorful cloth are hung on the branches of Mayalrukh trees. The bamboo structure is erected in front of the temple of the living goddess, Kumari Ghar, located south of Gaddi Baithak in Basantpur Durbar Square in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley. People offer gulal, cow dung cakes, and perform rituals at the bamboo pole until Holika Dahan, which will be observed on March 2nd.
The Falgun festival ends on the night of the full moon, and Holika is burned at Tundikhel, marking the beginning of the spring season the following day. Falgun Holi is celebrated with colors, by singing Khyali, Tappa, and Basant ragas, dancing, and exchanging greetings with family and friends.
