141 arrested as Nepal police cracks down on Holi revelers

At least 141 people were arrested and 600 motorcycles seized in the Nepalese capital during the annual Hindu festival of Holi on Sunday, police said.

Thousands of revelers - their faces painted with coloured powder - thronged the streets of Kathmandu on Sunday as people poured water over the crowd from rooftops.

Security forces patrolled the city in a bid prevent scuffles that typically occur during the festival, which takes place in Nepal's mountainous region on Sunday and in the country's south on Monday.

 Bam Bahadur Bhandari, deputy inspector general of the Metropolitan Police in Kathmandu, said 141 people were arrested for hurling water balloons and colour at pedestrians without their permission.

He added that the motorcycles had been seized because the drivers had violated traffic rules and speed limits.

India is set to celebrate the festival on Monday. Holi, alternatively referred to as the Festival of Colours, marks the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil.