Phagu Purnima or Holi, the festival of colours, is being celebrated with jest and vigour by people in the Capital and other parts of the hilly region on Sunday.

The festival is generally celebrated by smearing Abeer (red vermilion powder) and throwing colour and water-filled plastic pouches at each other.

Holi revellers have gathered at different places since early morning to mark the festival by applying colours on each other and making merry amongst themselves.

Holi, an important festival for Nepali people, begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with the burning of the "Chir', which was installed earlier, on the full moon day.

The festival is celebrated today in the hilly areas including the Capital. It will be celebrated in the Terai region tomorrow.