“Holi, the festival of colors, has turned into hooliganism,” states Tejeshwor Babu Gwong, a cultural anthropologist. And though at present, the festival, which is also known as Fagu Purnima (full moon) in Nepal, has taken a different turn, it still marks the arrival of spring—a time of flowers, fertility and harvest.
The celebration of Holi has multiple dimensions to it, informs Gwong. However, the actual practice is lost amidst the trends of hitting water balloons at strangers.
“The festival marks a fresh beginning. New saplings and buds appear, the air is romantic, and the heart is filled with exuberance. Thus, it has an ecological impact on humans’ desires,” adds Gwong.
Along with its seasonal significance, like any other festivals, Holi is also surrounded by legends.
Most popular of all is the story of the extermination of the demoness Holika, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. On the command of her evil brother Hiranyakashipu, Holika, who was believed to be immune to fire and burns, jumped into a blazing furnace with Prahlad to kill him.
But due to the blessings of Lord Krishna, Prahlad, the noble son of Hiranyakashipu, was saved while Holika perished.
Holi thus comes from Holika’s name.
Before the concept of water balloons gained popularity, Nepali Fagu or Indian Holi was played with vermillion powder only. And the celebration was limited to one’s inner circle, according to Gwong.
“Even the meaning of ‘lola’ has been distorted in recent years,” he informs.
Cultural expert Anil Chitrakar informs, “Vermillion powder packed inside a thin layer of buffalo skin was known as lola.”
At present, the skin has been replaced by colorful balloons, and in recent years by cheaply available white plastic bags. And water, mainly dirty and colored, has superseded the vermillion powder.
“Back then, the color was free of chemicals and it had dermatological benefits as well,” Gwong adds, “But now it’s unsafe to play with the colors available in the market.”
Six days before Holi, a bamboo pole known as “chir” is installed at the Basantpur Durbar Square. It is believed that the three-tiered poles festooned with colorfully fringed clothes symbolize the tree where Lord Krishna placed the clothes of the Gopini milkmaids, who bathed in the Jamuna River.
During the Malla reign, a small plant was erected as a representation of the tree, in front of the palace, also known as chir. This also has phallic significance.
“With the arrival of the Shah kings, the trend of installing a 25-foot-tall bamboo commenced,” informs researcher Ekram Singh. Even to this day, along with the tall chir, a small plant is also erected in front of Hanuman Dhoka.
Unlike these days, Fagu Purnima commenced only after the installation of the chir. The fixing of the pole also signifies victory.
“Chir is erected in Patan and Bhaktapur as well,” informs Gwong. The fringes of clothes also represent the colorful springtime.
In the capital, Holi ends with the chir being burnt in a bonfire. In the Terai region, the festival is celebrated a day later than the hills.
“It’s celebrated the next day after the effigy of the demoness Holika is put on fire. Prior to that, there is a 15-day Mithila Parikrama (tour),” informs Dhirendra Premarshi, a literary figure and Mithila culture expert.
Similar to chir, Samata—a bamboo pole with effigies of men and women involved in sexual intercourse – is hanged. This is installed in Tharu settlements, according to Madan Chaudhary, a Simara resident.
The pole is erected on Basanta Shree Panchami, the day which marks the arrival of spring, and is set on fire a day ahead of the festival.
A similar festivity of colors is celebrated by the locals of Thamel, formerly known as Tham Bahil (‘uptown’ in Newar language).
The image of Singha Sartha Aju, the first leader of the Newar merchants to Lhasa more than 1,400 years ago, is taken out from Bhagwan Bahal the day after the denizens of the Kathmandu Valley celebrate Fagu.
“Locals smear red color on each other,” informs Bishwombarlal Pradhan, the head of the working committee of Bhagwan Bahal.
In the Maithili community, it is the day of strengthening relationship, even with ones a person is in conflict with in the previous year, informs Premarshi.
“Symbolically, the festival is about overcoming one’s vices, not indulging in them, and thus it signifies the victory of good over evil,” concludes 74-years-old Tejeshwor Babu Gwong.
Hooliganism aside, let us have a Happy Holi!
SUMINA KARKI
my republica
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