Holi is a festival of joy, colors, and cultural celebrations. On March 13-14, 2025, immerse yourself in the colorful streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Chitwan, and celebrate Nepal's most colorful festival. Want to make it even more thrilling? Combine your Holi vacation with a breathtaking Himalayan trek!
Holi is a vibrant holiday and perhaps the most joyous holiday celebrated in Nepal. It signifies the beginning of spring and that good has triumphed over evil. The people gather in the streets to shower one another with colored powders, spray water, and dance to happy songs. The holiday signifies unity, love, and new life, which draws a large number of travelers to Nepal.
In 2025, Holi will be celebrated on the 13th of March in the Nepalese hilly regions such as Kathmandu and Pokhara. The holiday will be celebrated on the 14th of March if you are visiting the Terai region. If you are planning to visit Nepal, you can celebrate this beautiful holiday by aligning the dates.
Holi is a Hindu celebration that expresses love, togetherness, and happiness. The people celebrate it with colors, songs, and food. The celebration originated from Hindu mythological tales, particularly the legend of Prahlad and Holika, that depicts the victory of the good over the bad.
The story revolves around the devil king Hiranyakashipu, who wished that people pray to him rather than the gods. But his son Prahlad continued praying to Lord Vishnu. The furious king commanded his sister Holika, who was safe from the flames, to take Prahlad along and sit him down in a large fire. Holika perished but Prahlad remained unscathed because Prahlad was fond of Lord Vishnu. This victory of good over the devil is celebrated during the time of Holi.
Today, people celebrate Holi globally, but the majority celebrate it in Nepal and India. It is a time social boundaries are discarded, and individuals of every age group, gender, and class partake.
Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, boasts one of the biggest celebrations of Holi. The Basantapur Durbar Square turns into a sea of colors, songs, and dance. The locals and the visitors alike join the celebratory mood to celebrate the festive season. The tourist part of Thamel has the city's streets filled with festive Holi parties where people play with the colors, drink special holiday drinks, and dance to the rhythm.
Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna region, offers a lakefront celebration during the time of Holi. The neighborhood of Lakeside is where the locals celebrate the time throwing colors, listening to the music, and dancing along Phewa Lake. The mirrored view of the lake of the vibrant colors gives an amazing view that makes it the dream of a nature-lover and a shutterbug.
In the Terai region, cities like Janakpur, Birgunj, and Chitwan celebrate the holiday a day late. The celebration here is traditional, consisting of rituals, pilgrimages to temples, and local festivals. At Janakpur, the birthplace of Goddess Sita, there is religious significance to the celebration of the holiday. The people go to the Janaki Temple, sing traditional songs, and are engaged in some special local rituals.
If you love trekking, you can combine your adventure with Holi celebrations. Here are some great options:
| Trek | Duration | Best Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp Trek | 14 Days | March-May, Sept-Nov | Moderate to Difficult |
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | 12 Days | March-May, Sept-Nov | Moderate |
| Mardi Himal Trek | 9 Days | March-May, Sept-Nov | Easy to Moderate |
| Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek | 9 Days | Year-round | Easy |
| Langtang Valley Trek | 9 Days | March-May, Sept-Nov | Moderate |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | 14 Days | March-May, Sept-Nov | Challenging |
Holi 2025 will be celebrated on:
Do you want to celebrate Holi in Nepal and witness the stunning Himalayas? We can organize an amazing trekking holiday along with the festival. If you are interested to trek to the Everest Base Camp, visit the Annapurna region, or undertake a short trek post Holi, we will organize it specifically for you.
Holi in Nepal is an experience one lives once that is full of color, happiness, and cultural heritage. Whether celebrated in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Chitwan, the holiday offers an unmatchable experience. And to top it off, you can tie your Holi celebration along with an adventurous trek to take your holiday to the next level.
If you want to be part of this magical celebration amidst Nepal's beautiful landscape, let us organize an awesome expedition for you.
Book your Nepal trek today to be part of the fun during the Festival of Colors on your vacation.
