Compared to previous years, this year’s Fagu Purnima, or Holi festival, was celebrated peacefully in the hilly districts.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Abhi Narayan Kafle, central spokesperson for Nepal Police, said Holi was observed without incidents of arrests, fights, coercion, accidents, traffic rule violations or other unwanted activities. He said the general public celebrated the festival in a normal manner.

The election code of conduct remains in effect. “Due to the election, the sale and transportation of alcohol were also prohibited,” Kafle said. “District administration offices also did not allow gatherings to play Holi.”

He added that no Holi-related incidents were reported in hilly districts across the country, including the Kathmandu Valley. “Holi in the hilly areas was normal and peaceful. No one was arrested, and there were no accidents or traffic rule violations,” he said.

As it was a public holiday, people gathered with friends and relatives and celebrated Holi in various places. Keeping election security in mind, local administrations had requested that formal programmes not be organised. Musical programmes were also banned in public places.

Police said people gathered to celebrate Holi in Basantapur and Patan Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, where foreign tourists also took part in the festivities.

Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, spokesperson for the District Police Range, Kathmandu, said this year’s celebrations differed from previous years. “It may be because it is the eve of the election. It was not like last year’s Holi,” he said.

He added that the ban on the sale, distribution and transportation of alcohol contributed to maintaining order. No one was taken into custody in Kathmandu, and no vehicles were detained, he said. Security officials said illegal activities were prevented due to the mobilisation of Nepal Police, the Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force and election security personnel.

More than 350,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley for the elections, according to police estimates, and voters continue to travel to their constituencies. Bhattarai said no accidents were reported as Holi-focused programmes were not permitted and alcohol sales were banned. “Voters have left Kathmandu to vote. There was no permission to hold Holi-targeted programmes, and no cases of vehicle accidents, fights or drunk driving were recorded,” he said.

The election silence period begins at midnight on Monday, after which election campaigning and vote solicitation will be prohibited until voting concludes on Thursday, March 5.

Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra, spokesperson for the District Police Range, Lalitpur, also said Holi concluded peacefully. “As it was the final day of election campaigning, many candidates and workers appeared busier with election activities than Holi celebrations. Many people have left the Valley for the elections,” he said, adding that no untoward incidents were reported.

Kathmandu Valley Police said they received no complaints related to Holi.

During Holi on March 13 last year, police detained 24 people in Kathmandu for disorderly activities and seized 150 vehicles. Similarly, during Holi on March 24, 2024, police arrested 102 people nationwide for forcibly applying colours, engaging in fights after consuming alcohol and creating public disturbances. Police statistics show that 775 vehicles were seized for drunk driving and traffic violations, including 650 motorcycles and scooters in the Kathmandu Valley alone.

Holi will be celebrated in the Terai–Madhes region on Tuesday.