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Fagu Poornima or Holi, the festival of colors, is being observed with much fanfare in the districts of the Tarai region today. The festival, also called the spring festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, the symbol of the triumph of good over evil, is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits. People in the Tarai districts are enjoying the festival of colors in groups by smearing one another with different colours including Abir or red vermilion powder. This festival is also regarded as a bridge to promote social harmony. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, the Fagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People from old to young age enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the sale and prices of fruits and other daily essentials have increased in the Tarai districts during this festival. Likewise, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Morang said police personnel have been deployed to avert any unwanted activities in the Holi festival.

As many as 70 persons underwent cataract surgery in a free eye checkup camp run in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality in Taplejung district. The free eye checkup camp was organized jointly by Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu and Phaktanglung Rural Municipality, Taplejung. The surgeries were conducted on Saturday and Sunday with a team of surgeons Prof Dr Sanduk Ruit and other doctors. The cataract surgeries were carried out among the 2,430 locals who visited the eye checkup camp to examine their eyes in Phaktanglung, where Dr Ruit was born. Chairman of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality Mukti Labung said that the patients having difficulties to visit other places were treated in the eye checkup camp and were provided with free meal and transportation service for visiting the camp from their remote village. Likewise, four patients with serious issues have been referred to Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu for further treatment.

Holi or the festival of colours, is being celebrated with much fanfare in hilly areas, including the Capital city, on Monday, while it will be celebrated in the Terai region tomorrow. The Phagu Poornima celebration begins with a Holika Dahan or making a bonfire commemorating the death of Holika on the eve of Holi, the symbol of triumph of good over evil. The next day, people enjoy smearing one another with different colors including Abir or red vermilion powder. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, the Phagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People of all age enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. One of the widely observed festivals of the country, Phagu Poornima begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with burning of the 'Chir' on the full moon day later today. According to a Hindu myth, demon king Hiranyakashyapu who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Bishnu ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction Holika who had a boon from the god that fire would not harm her sat on a fire by taking Prahlad on her lap, but was burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Bishnu. From then onwards, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Bishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused. Senior people believe that any premonitions can be avoided if "Tika" made from the ashes of the 'Chir' is put on one's forehead or kept in the house. The government has declared a public holiday today to celebrate the festival.  

Two persons died and nine others were injured when a Bolero jeep fell off a cliff at Chisankhugadhi in Okhaldhunga on Sunday. The District Police Office, Okhaldhunga said that the four-wheeler carrying 11 persons was heading towards the district headquarters from Chapakot of Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality-3 when the incident occurred this morning. The deceased have been identified as Min Bahadur Shrestha and Bhakta Bahadur Thapa. Preparations are being made to bring the injured to Kathmandu by a Nepal Army helicopter. Police said that they are looking into the case.