Holi, the festival of colours, was celebrated in various Tarai districts  on Thursday. The festival was also marked by the people of Madhes origin living in various Hill districts including Kathmandu, where the colourful revelry was observed on Wednesday.

This year, Holi is being celebrated for three straight days in many parts of Bara including the district headquarters of Kailali.

In Bara, Holi began on Wednesday, it was celebrated on Thursday as well, and will continue on Friday.

Bhagat Raut Kurmi, a native of Uttarjhitakaiya in the district, said that they were celebrating the festival by exchanging greetings, playing with colours and relishing on delicacies such as rice puddings, pulses, rice and meats.

“This is the time to invite guests to our homes for three days of fun, frolic and food,” Motilal Sah, a local businessman, said that while the demand for grocery items surged as it does every year during Holi, this year the demand for liquor was exceptionally high.

Holi revellers form a human pyramid in a Matka (pot) breaking ritual in Kapilvastu: Post Photo: Manoj Paudel

Bara District Police Office said that the security during the festival period has been heightened in the district to prevent untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, a person died and 10 others sustained injuries in separate incidents of clashes during Holi festival in Sunsari and Rautahat districts on Thursday.

Nima Tamang, 20, of Dharan-8 was stabbed to death in a gang fight between two groups while celebrating Holi, said police.

Critically injured Tamang was rushed to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Tamang had sustained stab wound in his chest. One of his friend was also injured in the knife attack. Search is on to find the culprits involved in the incident, said police.

In Rautahat, nine persons including three police personnel were injured when a clash ensued between two groups of Holi revellers at Gujara Municipality-9.

Police had to fire six rounds of rubber bullets and lobbed seven teargas canisters to contain the situation.

People smeared in colours play musical instruments to celebrate Holi in Biratnagar, Morang. Poost Photo: Dev Narayan Shah