KATHMANDU, March 17: With the installation of Chir, a ceremonial bamboo pole with three tiers of colorful clothes at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Holi, the festival of colors officially began on Sunday.

Every year  the Chir is erected by locals and priests on Falgun Shukla Ashtami, which is a symbolic representation of the beginning of the festival. This year it falls on March 17.

After the Chir is hauled down on the seventh day, the festival officially comes to an end. Holi is said to have been celebrated in the Treta Yug after Pralhad, an avid follower of Lord Vishnu, burned a female demon named Holika, who was said to be clad in fireproof clothing, according to religious belief.

Holika had planned to set fire to Pralhad when he was sitting on her lap. From that day forward, the festival of Holi was celebrated on the full moon day in the lunar calendar month of Falgun. This year, the festival falls on the Nepali month of Chaitra