55 held on charge of unruly activities during Holi celebration
Nepal Police apprehended 55 individuals from the Kathmandu Valley on Thursday on charge of unruly activities during the Holi celebrations.
Spokesperson of District Police Range in Kathmandu Superintendent of Police Apil Raj Bohara said 52 men and three women were nabbed from different locations in the valley.
Likewise, police impounded 253 vehicles from different sites in the districts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.
Of them, 49 drivers and motorcyclists were held on charge of drunk driving and eight others on other charge of narcotics.
Security beefed up in Kathmandu Valley for Holi festival
Security has been beefed up in Kathmandu Valley in view of Holi festival.
Chief of Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Senior Superintendent of Police Binod Ghimire, shared that traffic checking campaign has been accelerated in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts of the Valley from this morning.
He added that this year those violating the traffic rules not only face traffic action, but they will be made to stand on the road whole day and will not be allowed to participate in Holi celebration the rest of the day.
Security personnel have been mobilized with necessary gear at more than 120 places in the Kathmandu Valley for the same.
Traffic Police and Civil Police personnel have jointly launched the security checking campaign. Nepal Police have requested one and all to celebrate Holi festival only with family and relatives in a friendly environment and as per the time-honoured tradition.
Requesting to play Holi being disciplined, District Administration Office of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts said action would be taken against those celebrating Holi in unruly manner.
Devotees throng Bhimsen Temple in Bhaktapur
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 being celebrated today
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.
