Kathmandu, March 7:

The festival of colours, Holi, began from today following the erection of the Chir — a pole on the premises of the Basantapur Durbar at the auspicious time of 9:29 am amid a function.

According to Tej Ratna Tamrakar, chief of the Monuments Conservation and Palace Caretaker Office, the festival of colours begins with the erection of the Chir pole from today and lasts for the next seven days. “The festival which is also called Fagu Poornima — would conclude in the mid-night of the next full moon day with the fall of the Chir at Tundikhel.”

Tamrakar, however, expressed concern over the growing trend of using water-full of balloons instead of colours. “Forceful use of water balloons is not our tradition to develop friendship,” he said. Chir were also erected at Mohan Kali Chowk and Dakh Chowk inside the Hanumandhoka and also inside the Narayanhiti Royal Palace today morning.