PREVIEW

A devotee bows down before the ceremonial Chira, a wooden pole adorned with colorful strips of cloth, at Basantapur Durbar Square to mark the beginning of Phagu Purnima, or Holi, the festival of colors. The ritual signifies reverence and the start of Holi celebrations, which were traditionally observed for eight days but are now primarily celebrated on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Falgun.