Colours of Holi - Happy Holi

Shuva bihani (good morning). Restless sleep - I tossed and turned several times throughout the night, the jet lag was creeping up on me. I woke in the middle of the night thinking that I had slept for what seemed like forever, when it had only been just 2 hours. I rolled around in bed for quite some time and finally got up at 7am to get ready.

I was super ecstatic about 'Holi'. Holi is known as the festival of colours and also known as Fagu Purnima. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season - spring. Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating events present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating one in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw coloured powder at each other and celebrate wildly. 

I went up to the rooftop and basked in the sun while I waited for my simple breakfast. Earlier, I had already gone downstairs to reception and enquired about the exciting day ahead. The plan is for people who are interested in joining the holi fun are to meet at reception at 10am. Here we will form our own hostel group and go out together to partake in a fun and crazy day ahead. I met Alex from the Phillippines and Merlin from Austria - both solo travellers. I also met some Dutch girls and an American guy at the rooftop where we just chatted about our travel plans. Quickly after breakfast, Om (one of the social staff) took us out to buy some coloured powder for the holi play. It was a very interesting walk through the ghost town - Thamel. I was not used to seeing Thamel like that, because of Holi a lot of the Nepalis have opted to stay indoors (to stay clean and dry) and instead, prank bypassers (mainly tourists) by pouring buckets and buckets of water from their homes. We bolted for our lives while shopping for colours. Kids were throwing water bombs or aiming their water/colour pistols at us. This was a mini tease to the pre-holi fun. 

At 10am sharp, the Alobar1000 crew headed out and slowly got painted with beautiful vibrant colours on our faces, hair and clothes. I felt like a walking artwork. They say "the more colour you get, the more beautiful you look and the more colourful your life will be in the year ahead". I felt beautiful and everyone looked beautiful. 

Armed with multiple bags of coloured powder, the morning started out slowly as we wandered through the quiet streets of Thamel. As we started to encounter other people, we were soon involved in a full-on war. Powder and painted water bombs were thrown everywhere, every person covered in different shades of blues, yellows, greens, pinks and reds from head to toe. 

As we were a group of non-locals, we unfortunately attracted quite a bit of attention - especially the females. Some people were quite rough and we ended up eating the powder instead of it being smeared onto our faces gently. The walk led us to Basantapur Durbar Square. 

We walked past Nepali women performing their holi rituals. People light bonfires to celebrate the victory of 'good' over 'bad' which is called 'holika dahan'. The holika dahan process includes people gathering woods and extending the log centre with twigs, dried leaves, branches of trees and other combustible materials. Cow dung is also used as a form of burning fuel. 

Holi celebrations culminated in a dance party at the centre of Basantapur Durbar Square. What a crazy atmosphere. Foreigners and locals mingled and continued throwing powder and spraying water at each other whilst dancing to trance music. The holi celebration is by far the best day festival I have ever been to. It seemed like a day of pure childish indulgence but I enjoyed every minute of it. 

With so many people crowded in one area, it did somewhat get a little uncomfortable especially when a few of us girls experienced young boys groping us disrespectfully. Nonetheless, I had a wonderful time and am very glad that I had the chance to experience what a vibrant festival. 

The photos of the crowd just looks amazing. Seeing it in photos and being there in person makes a huge difference. I urge anyone and everyone to experience it for themselves. Happy holi everyone. I've lost count to how many times I had repeatedly quoted that line throughout the day.

Do I look pretty in pink? haha. We danced for about 4 hours straight, feeling dehydrated throughout the day but extremely energised despite being sober. 

Eventually the crowd got just a little too much for all of us. The groping was just getting worst as the crowd started moving forward and squishing everyone. We needed to breathe and was feeling a little peckish. Alex took us to a nearby local restaurant called Durbar Square MoMo. Chilli buff momos - O.M.G, it was divine, so good that we all went for seconds :). I'm sure by now you've all worked out that I am addicted to eating momos. :)