A kaleidoscopic cloud of colors hover over every nook and corner of Nepal’s streets around the beginning of March. On this full moon day every reveler jeer in marking the arrival of spring by smearing and throwing powder dye, splashing water on friends and family, filling the atmosphere with raucous fun. This celebration of colors and water is known as Holi, which marks the beginning of spring, and the end of winter. 

While Holi reveals the beautiful colors of diversity and brings joy to people from all around regardless of race, caste and country, beneath it lies a unique traditional culture and a story of the victory of good over evil.

According to Hindu mythology, a demon called Hiranyakasipu detested Lord Vishnu because he had earlier killed Hiranyakasipus’ brother. But Hiranyakasipu had a son named Prahlad who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. This infuriated the demon. In an attempt to devoid his son from devoting to Vishnu, the demon came up with several means and tricks to persuade Prahlad but failed many times.

So, finally, he came up with the plan to end the life of his own son, Prahlad. He called his sister Holika as part of the plan to kill Prahlad and asked to keep Prahald on her lap and sit in a pyre so that the child burnt to ashes. As Holika had received a boon that her body shall never be burnt by fire, she herself wouldn’t perish in the fire. Once she entered the fire with Prahlad, to everyone's surprise, nothing happened to Prahlad while Holika was burnt down to ashes. At the same time, Lord Vishnu appeared, rescued Prahlad and succeeded in Killing the demon Hiranyakasipu. Since then Holi is celebrated (deriving its name from Holika) by burning a pyre that signifies the victory of good over evil.