I would like to still your attention from Indian stories and take you back to Nepal. To Bhaktapur, the city of light.
Holi festival, the festival of colors
Poshina, Gujarat
November 7, 2019
Earthquake Gorkha
November 10, 2019STORIES FROM NEPAL
Fagu Purnima a Holi festival
Festival of colors is celebrated for the victory of good over evil and the upcoming spring. This usually falls somewhere between the end of February and the middle of March, according to the Gregorian calendar.
There are many stories behind the Holi that involves a burning sacrifice for the sake of love. (The death of Holika in order to save Prahlad, story about Shiva and Kamadev…) Anyway, the main reason of this festival is about celebrating a victory of virtues.
People are chasing each other on streets armed with water guns, while playing drums and singing traditional songs, dancing…
…throwing dry powdered paint and water balloons to each other no matter the generation.
A legend narrates when witch Putana attempted to kill Lord Krishna by her poisoned milk, he didn’t die but his skin became blue. Complaining to his mother about the darkness of his skin, Krishna’s mother smeared colours on his face.
That explains why today Holi is celebrated by throwing colours on people.
Gulal powder has always had an important role in Hindu culture and has always been used for religious purposes.
In earlier times Gulal powders were prepared from flowers coming from trees that had medicinal properties, beneficial to the skin.
Now days industrial dyes have been chemically manufactured containing chemicals like lead, which not only irritates the skin but can cause a serious eye and lung damages as well.
All versions are available in markets, but organic and home-made colors cost more.
I knew my gear is protected as much as it can possible be (duck-taped with plastic covers) I have loosen up. Why not, It is Holi! Live a little, right?!
Soon I was powdered from head to toe and was delighted to be able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime festival.
Not only I was enormously enjoying the Holi festival, but the whole town It self had a unique atmosphere and looked like a living colorful museum.
Earthquake Gorkha in 2015 caused a terrible devastation loss of lifes and destroyed temples, yet many gems remained.
Bhaktapur literally translates to Place of devotees is a car- free city centre is nothing like chaotic capital of Kathmandu. I could just imagin how the entire valley would have looked like during the medieval time.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain
I am not a selfie enthusiast therefore I would like to thank you Judith Placht for taking care of this problem for me.