KATHMANDU: The ritualistic ‘lingo’ or wooden pole bearing the ‘chir’ has been installed at Basantapur, Hanumandhoka on Tuesday morning. It was lifted as per ritual and paraphernalia.

With this, Holi, the festival of colours, has begun formally. The pole erecting was conducted at auspicious hour of 7:13am, the time determined by Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.

Executive Director at Committee, Laxman Panthi, informed that the auspicious hour was recommended as per Pension Manager Office, Tripureshwor.

The hoisting of the ‘Chir’ had to be conducted by the person facing east, Panthi added. Chir is a ceremonial tuft of cloth of different colours places on top of the ritualistic wooden pole.

The Fagu or the Holi festival begins every year after the Chir is erected at Basantapur on the eighth day of the bright half of Fagun month. The Fagu festival is observed for a week from this day to Fagu poornima (full moon). This year, the Fagu poornima falls on February 3.

The celebrants enjoyed smearing vermilion powder of different colours after installing the Chir.

The Calendar Determination Committee has given the auspicious hour for lowering the Chir at 5:31 pm coming March 2.