Holi, also known as Festival of Colors, is one of the most revered and celebrated festivals in Nepal. It usually takes is celebrated on the full moon day in Nepali Fagu month (February to March in Solar Calendar) and lasts for 2 days. This festival was previously held from March 20 to 21, 2019, and will be celebrated on March 9 to 10, 2020. Generally, this festival is in celebration of the victory of good over evil and also the reentering of Spring. The main gist of the beloved “Holi” festival is to throw each other with dry powder and colored water to express one’s sincere blessings and good wishes.
Origin of Holi Festival
Holi festival can be traced back to the ancient time of “Mahabharata”, Indian famous epic. As the legend goes, A King by the name of Hiranyakashipu was so arrogant and vain and fully opposed Lord Vishnu. He was strictly against worshipping the Lord but his son Prince Prahlada was a passionate devotee of Vishnu and openly opposed his father. This enraged Hiranyakashipu and he ordered his daughter Holika to burn the prince(Prahlada) on the full moon night. But with the blessing of Lord Vishnu, no harm came upon the young prince Prahlada while Holika (his sister) was burned into ashes. After the horrific ordeal when the prince walked out of the fire, people sprinkled him with colorful water to express the praise of goodness and hatred of evil.
Traditions and Celebration of Nepal Holi Festival
The festival of color is celebrated differently among the neighboring countries. In Nepal, there is a ceremony of erecting a wooden pole in the capital Kathmandu Durbar Square which marks the start of the celebration of the Holi festival. On this day, Nepali women dress in beautiful Sari with various pujas in hand circle around the pole to pray for the blessings. During the main day of the Holi Festival, the Durbar Square and the surrounding streets turn into a sea of waters, colors, and music. Nepalese and visitors totally indulge in singing, dancing and sprinkling varieties of powders and waters. Everyone’s face is filled with festive joy. Even the air turns to be colorful. At this moment, cameras, mobile phones, and selfie sticks have become the essential tools to record your happy Holi. And you’ll have the chance to see the most prestigious singers performing on the stage. On the eighth day, the festival comes to an end with Holi bonfire.
With the end of Winter season, Nepal welcomes the Spring season. Right after the winter new buds grown in trees and flowers blossom in this season. The most popular trekking season that starts from March till May. Spring season is the second-best time to visit Nepal after Autumn as the temperature is just perfect – not too cold and not too hot. It is also the time for flowers to bloom and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendron sweeps the ascending altitudes with its radiant color and beauty. The plants, wildlife activities, and mountain scenery are striking and the livelihood of the High Mountains is fascinating.
Checkout the list for the top Spring Treks in Nepal:
1. Short Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Mustang is also known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom because It was restricted demilitarized area until 1992 – tourists were not allowed to enter the region. Even today, access is still highly restricted – To enter Upper Mustang, trekkers need a special permit. Mustang’s former kingdom of Lo is a remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. Upper Mustang is especially for people who would love to visit the mustang region’s hidden beautiful places. On your visit to Upper Mustang, you will encounter the unique landscapes, picturesque villages, the ancient sky caves and monasteries along with the culture, lifestyle, and heritage that remain unchanged for the centuries to these dates.
Upper Mustang during the spring is just splendid. As the Rhododendrons start to blossom in spring which in return grants you the chance to hike through the beautiful forest of rhododendron in spring. The season of spring brings in warm and stable weather conditions. The clear sky offers great visibility of mountain peaks and landscapes. You will experience temperature ranging from 16-degree Celsius during the day to 8-degree Celsius at night. So, you won’t feel extreme cold during your high altitude trek to Upper Mustang.
Manaslu Circuit Trekking is an ideal trek that holds the blend of wonderful cultural heritage, unparalleled Himalayan vistas, pure Himalayan ecosystem and great walking experience following the ancient salt trading route of the Tiber along the Budi Gandaki river. Since 1992, Manaslu Circuit Trek has been the best alternative trekking to Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trek begins with a drive to Arughat and chases the traverses uphill beside the rushing Budi Gandaki River. The walkthrough uneven gorges sliced between Himachuli Peak 7890m, the Manaslu Circuit Trek most of the time covers wilderness walk. During the month of Spring, the Manaslu circuit trek has colorful blossoms of rhododendrons, local flora, and fauna. With Crystal clear and spectacular mountain views. You can view Mt. Manaslu, Mount Himalchuli, Ngadi Chuli, Ganesh Himal mountains range, Shringi, Langpo, and Saula. Opportunity to view and witness the wildlife of the Manaslu Conservation Area.
Rara Lake is Nepal’s biggest Lake, located in the Mugu district of the Karnali zone in Nepal. Situated at the altitude of 2,990m above the sea level, the lake is surrounded by the pine, spruce and juniper forest of the Rara National Park. The Rara Lake Trek or trekking to this hidden gem of Nepal, promises unlimited adventure, culture and panoramic geographical landscape, so beautiful and serene that it will make you want to come back to this place again and again. During the month of Spring, the climate is mild and rhododendrons bloom over the mountain paths with colors, the skies are clear and the lake is crystal blue. A two-hour walk over the lake from the tower overlooks the lake. It is a good time and can be visited by taking a flight. It can be reached by drive but the flight is an easily accessible one. You have to hike to explore around Rara.
Situated north of Dhaulagiri, in the rain-shadow of the Himalayas, the Lower Dolpa is a remote trekking destination in Nepal. The Shey-Phoksundo Lake- one of the deepest Himalayan lakes inside the Shey-Phoksundo National Park- that preserves Trans-Himalayan ecosystem, blue sheep, wolves, Himalayan black bear, and exclusive snow leopard and the Tarap Valley- one of the highest human settlement in the world and their Bon PO tradition are some of the major attractions of the Lower Dolpo Trek. Beautiful views of the peaks like Kanjiroba and Dhaulagiri, barren slopes, deep gorges, pristine villages, ancient Buddhist monasteries and high passes like Numa La and Baga La make Lower Dolpa trekking experience more enjoyable and thrilling.
During the spring season, this region offers splendid views of pine, fir and birch forests as well as wildlife such as the elusive snow leopard, rare Himalayan blue sheep, goral, thar, Himalayan black bear, langur, and rhesus monkeys, etc.
TiIicho Lake and Annapurna Circuit Trek, two weeks of a walking journey along the horseshoe-shaped fascinating trail that encircles amazing Annapurna is the world’s most popular trek beyond doubt. It is the most frequented trek in Nepal as well. The trek highlights exceedingly beautiful valleys like Marshayngdi & Kali Gandaki. The cultural encounters in numerous ethnically inhabited villages are the wonders of Nepal’s cultural diversity seen during the trek. The floral and faunal biodiversity of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project is a great sight. The rawness of nature that includes pure cascading waterfalls, the Rocky Mountains, and deep gorges are mesmerizing.
The month ranging from March to May is the spring months in Nepal and is another most popular time of the year for undertaking trekking in any region. The month is full of beautiful wildflowers and splendid views of the snow-capped mountains. The average temperature is around 18-22 Degree Celsius during these months at day time and the temperature can drop to chilling levels.
