In the Kathmandu valley, the Falgun Holi festival begins with the erection of a three-story bamboo Chir hung with colourful flags on the eighth day of Falgun Shukla Ashtami according to the Nepali calendar.
On this auspicious occasion, pieces of colourful cloth are hung on the branches of Mayalrukh trees. The chir is erected in front of the temple of the living goddess, Kumari Ghar, south of Gaddi Baithak in Basantpur Durbar Square in the heart of the Kathmandu valley. People, until Holika Dahan, which will be observed on 2nd March, offer gulaal and cow dung cake and perform rituals at the chir pole.
The Falgun festival ends on the night of the full moon, and Holika is burnt at Tundikhel, marking the onset of the spring season the next day. Falgun Holi is celebrated with colours and by singing Khyali, Tappa and Basant ragas, dancing and exchanging greetings with family and friends.
