Submit your Article

On the occasion of Phagu Poornima devotees have thronged the Bhimsen Temple in Bhaktapur.

Marking the festival, a large number of people visit the Bhimsen Temple in Ardash, Yachhen Bhimsen Temple in Yachhen, and Tachpal Bhimsen Temple in Dattatray for a darshan and worshipping.

It is a religious belief that worshipping the deity Bhimsen on the day of Phagu Poornima opens up new sources of income and business flourishes.

The festival of Phagu is celebrated by worshipping the Bhimsen deity and eating samaya baji, a Newari delicacy.

Also called Bhising Pooja in the local language, on this day local women dressed up in hakupatasi, a Newari traditional costume, worshiping the deity Bhimsen, savor samaya baji and walk around the neighborhood celebrating Phagu, the festival of colors.

Later this evening, the large wooden male linga or penis, on display at the Tachpal Bhimsen Temple in Dattatray, is taken around the city, washed in the river at the Brahmayani Temple, and placed back to the temple, to conclude this year's Phagu festival.

Holi, one of the major festivals observed in Nepal, is being celebrated in the hilly parts of the country today.

The festival of goodwill and harmony will be celebrated in Tarai tomorrow.

Also called Phagu Poornima, people celebrate this festival by smearing colorful powders and throwing colored water at each other while dancing and singing.

People of all ages, old and young as well as children participate in the festival.

Since age-old times, the Holi festival has been observed as a celebration of the victory of truth over falsehood.

As it is celebrated by one and all, the Holi festival has contributed to minimizing inequality and discrimination in the society.

Meanwhile, President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed his belief that the Phagu Poornima or Holi festival would contribute to further strengthening social harmony and national unity in the country.

In a message of best wishes today on the occasion, he said that the festival helps the ethnic, linguistic and culturally diverse Nepali society maintain unity amidst diversity.

“Unity amidst diversity is also the identity and unique characteristic of Nepalis. I am confident that this festival will contribute to further strengthening social harmony and national unity among all Nepalis by renouncing anger and resentment and fostering love and affection,” reads the message.

Describing Nepali society as diverse and colourful as the various colours played during Holi, he has also expressed his heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers living at home and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Holi.

Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center​​​​​) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' have also issued separate statements extending their best wishes to all those celebrating the festival today.

Rainfall with thunder and lightning is likely to take place in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces today.

According to meteorologist Govinda Kumar Jha at the Weather Forecasting Division, the rainfall is a result of a combination of local winds coupled with partial influence of the westerly winds.

With pre-monsoon activities already coming into play, rain with thunder and lightning is likely in the afternoon while the weather will remain generally clear at night.

Since Wednesday evening, light to moderate rain has occurred in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

However, the Division has stated that there is no possibility of rain tonight as the weather system that causes rain has developed in Gandaki Province and exited through Koshi Province.

It may be noted that the weather has remained cloudy in various parts of the country including the Kathmandu Valley for the past few days.

As a result, the country's air traffic has also been affected due to the adverse weather.

According to the Tribhuvan International Airport, domestic as well as international flights had to be put on hold in the sky for some time on Wednesday afternoon due to low visibility.

The 4th edition of Ilam Literature Festival is all set to be held in Ilam Bazaar of Ilam district on March 14 and 15.

According to press statement released by Prakash Thamsuhang, chair of the Festival, many authors, artists, intellectuals and politicians from Nepal, India and Bangladesh will participate in the two-day festival.

With the slogan 'Literature for Tourism', the two-day festival will include more than 20 sessions. "Prof. Anand Kumar from India will be delivering the keynote speech on Democracy and Environment," as per the statement. 

Anand Kumar is the former professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and chair professor of Goa University.

Organized by Ilam Municipality, Literature, Art and Music Foundation of Ilam and IlamSahitya Samaj in association with the Nepal Academy, Nepal Fine Art Academy and Red Panda Network, the festival will consist of many sessions on literature, commerce, environment, music, culture and politics.

Khagendra Sangraula will speak on his bygone days with journalist Deepak Sapkota. Krishna Khanal, Narayan Kaji Shrestha 'Prakash', Gagan Kumar Thapa, and GokarnaBista are scheduled to speak on the topic 'Politics: Optimism or Pessimism'.

Poet Hangyug Agyat will speak on the beauty of the village while Tikaram Yatri, Ani Chhoing Dolma and Min Dolma will discuss the session 'Art and Spirituality.'  Likewise, journalist Phanindra Sangam will discuss with poets Shrawan Mukarung, Mishra Baijanti and Avaya Shrestha in the session 'Poetic Sense and Effect'. 

Journalist Raman Paudel will talk with Prithvi Subba Gurung, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, on the issue of social media while singer Prakash Saput will speak on caste-based discrimination.

Similarly, professional Nepali translator Ken Subedi will moderate the session ' Embodying Diversity in South Asia Through Translation' in which Shahed Kayes, from Bangladesh, Dr. Balram Adhikari and Chandra Gurung from Nepal will take part. Moreover, PradipMeyangbo will talk to Arjun Mabuhang and Sandhya Subba on 'Mundhum and Environment'.

Basanta Basnet, Srijana Pokhrel, GirirajBaskota, Chhabilal Khatiwada, Bishnu Kafle, Prabin Khaling, Tika Chhetri, YogendramanShrestha, Krishna Paudel, Gayatri Thegim, Bishnu Bishwas, Asha Uparkoti, Milan Tamli, Premika Rana Magar, Shankar Tiwari, Krishna Baral, Shailendra Adhikari and Deepa Dahalwill speak on different topics.

Similarly, other participants include Navaraj Parajuli, Madhuraj Kerung, Shiva Rijal, KomalPhuyal, Rajan Mukarung, Naresh KangmangRai, Dewan Kirati, Munaraj Sherma, Mahendra Birahi and others. Shanaz Parveen, AnjumanAra, Lovely Yesmin from Bangladesh and others will join poetry recitation.

According to Festival chair Thamsuhang, the Festival will include Ilam Poetry Concert, a Ghazal symposium and others. 

It is informed that Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, Badri Pandey, will inaugurate the Festival.

"We believe that we can promote tourism through art and literature," chair Thamsuhangsaid. The festival will be held at Gautam Buddha Conference Hall in Ilam Bazaar.