Nepal: Holi celebrations commence with ancient Chir tradition

Mar 08, 2025

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 08 (ANI): Holi festivities kicked off in Nepal on Friday with the ancient Chir tradition -sacred bamboo Chir was upraised at the Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kathmandu. The Manandhars of the Newa community have been traditionally erecting the Chir at Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the arrival of Holi in the Himalayan nation. This group, known as Dhaalasiko Manandhars, operates through a working committee called Sana: gu Khala. This group of Manandhars, who has been given the identity of Dhaalasiko for residing near a Dhaale (Newari word for pomegranate) tree that was previously present in the area, gears up to work on bringing the Chir. Legends say that the tradition has been running since the Malla period and was later modified at the time of Prithivi Narayan Shah (Modern Nepal's unifier). During the Malla period, which ran from the 10th to the 18th Century, the 'Chir's' used to be erected at Mohan Chowk or Nasal Chowk. The bamboo that is 32 feet long and six inches thick is suitable to be raised as Chir with pieces of cloth tied on its three layers of umbrella-like structure, which symbolises Nepali gods and goddesses. In order to mark the death of Holika, who had the boon to remain unaffected by fire, it was burned down. In order to mark the victory of godliness over evil forces, Holi is believed to have started, and the burning of Chir is based on it.