Experience the Magic of Holi: Celebrate Holi with the Tharu Community in Piprahar

Celebrate Holi in the hidden village of Piprahar that is located right at the edge of Chitwan National Park - the wildlife hub of Nepal. Holi, the festival of colors, falls on the full moon day in the 11th month of the Nepalese calendar, Falgun (normally between February-March). It is also known as ‘Fagu Purnima’, in which Fagu refers to the month Falgun and Purnima means full moon. You will be staying at Piprahar Community Homestay during this trip which comprises small huts designated for the guests, nearby to the house of the host families. Staying in this simple house equipped with basic facilities is a novel experience that cannot be found easily in other parts of Nepal.

The Tharu Community of Piprahar has been able to give continuity to the traditional way of enjoying Holi that allows you to celebrate the festival at its fullest and in an authentic way. The festival celebration starts a day before in the village with the preparation of ‘Holika’ (i.e. scarecrows) an important component of signifying the start of the festival as well as the victory of good over evil. As you arrive in Piprahar during the late afternoon, get to know how the local people prepare the scarecrows while learning about the tales of Holi and how it is celebrated. You will be in for a grand proceeding after dinner with the burning of the Holika along with the songs and dance of the elderly that run through the night. 

On the day of the festival, go for a village excursion in the morning with the host where you can observe the local people and understand the rural lifestyle of the village. Walking around the village surrounded by greenery, away from the hustle-bustle will give you a relaxing experience. After the tour, the festival will kick start with people smearing colors on their faces along with their friends and relatives. The rest of the day will be filled with colors and water where the whole village comes together for celebrations. Celebrating Holi in Piprahar will definitely be a memorable experience