Holi festivities kicked off in Nepal on Friday with the ancient Chir tradition -sacred bamboo Chir was upraised at the Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kathmandu.

After King Gyanendra exited the palace in 2008, the number of Chirs raised in Basantapur Durbar Square, a World Heritage Site, fell by half to two from four. Before kings exited the palace ...