Locals carry the traditional Chir (colourful flag), a ceremonial pole to be installed to mark the upcoming Holi festival. The Hindu festival of Holi honors the mythical demoness Holika and is associated with intense color and general frivolity. Every day of the festival is inspired by a particular color, with the final evening culminating in a riotous celebration of every shade. Basantapur, Kathmandu. 22/02/2010.
Chir is a bamboo pole fringed with strips of clothes representing good luck charms. As the pole is put up in the street at Basantapur, the festivities and worship commences for the week. At the end of the festivities chir is taken to a bonfire.
There is a popular legend behind the installation of chir. The story is again about the mischievous nature of Krishna who just loved to pray pranks with the milkmaids or gopis. Playful as he was, it is said that once he seduced all the local girls with his dashing good looks. He then danced with them all and when they fully engrossed in him, then he thought they were ripe for a tease. He doused them in coloured water and stole all their clothes while they were bathing in the water of river Yamuna. Naughty Krishna then hung their clothes on a tree to bug them. Chir symbolizes that very tree.
There is another legend too about the Chir which represents the mythical tale of a king who used to hang his maid's garments high up in the air when they were bathing.
The Hindu festival of Holi which honors the mythical demoness Holika is associated with intense color and general frivolity. Every day of the March festival is inspired by a particular color, with the final evening culminating in a riotous celebration of every shade.
