Holika Dahan 2024: The Legend, Prophecy, and Ritual of Holika Dahan

Burn Holika to Drive Negativity Out of Your House

While Holi, the festival of colors, is observed globally in various ways, it’s possible that Holika Dahan is exclusive to India. It represents, in a sense, the triumph of good over evil. Holika Dahan is performed on the full moon day of Phalgun month, one day prior to the vibrant Holi festival. The following day is dedicated to a custom known as Dhulendi, Dhulandi, etc.—playing with colors.

The Holika Dahan Rules

Holika Dahan will happen in 2024 on March 24, which is Phalgun Purnima’s Pradosh era. The hours of Bhadra Head and Tail on March 24 are respectively 19:53 PM and 22:06 PM and 23:13 PM to 00:40 AM. The auspicious hours of Holika Dahan in this case are 23:13 PM to 00:40 AM. Scriptures state that Holashtak is not regarded as auspicious. It is forbidden to perform any kind of auspicious or lucky labor eight days prior to Holi.

During these eight days, auspicious tasks like marriage and housewarming are avoided. Holashtak will be held this year from March 17 to March 18.The Holika Dahan is held on the day of the full moon. It should be remembered that there isn’t a “Bhadra” on that particular day during this period. – The proper Purnima is Pradoshkaal-vyapini. Put simply, the full moon date is the part of the day that occurs in the three Muhurtas after sunset.

Story of Holika Dahan

Legend has it that the demon king Hiranyakashyap thought of himself as God, while his son Prahlad only worshiped Lord Vishnu. When Hiranyakashyap saw this, he became enraged and eventually gave his sister Holika the command to sit in front of the fire with Prahlad on her lap. Holika was fortunate that the fire would not hurt her.

However, Prahlad was spared from the flames by Lord Vishnu’s mercy, but Holika was reduced to ashes. It was the full moon of Phalgun month on that day. In remembrance of this occurrence, burning Holika is a ritual. Later, in order to save the people from oppression, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Narasimha and slew Hiranyakashyap.

History of Holika Dahan

There is also a wealth of historical material regarding the Holi festival. An artwork from the 16th century that was discovered in Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, mentions the Holi celebration. Not only that, but an inscription discovered at Ramgarh, close to the Vindhya Mountains, mentioning it was written 300 years before Christ. It is also thought that the demon Putana was slain by Lord Shri Krishna on this day. He played Holi with the Gopis while he was happy.

Sacrifice These During Holika Dahan

Raw mangoes, coconuts, corn, saptadhara, sugar toys, and a portion of the new crop are all symbolically sacrificed during Holika Dahan.

Holika Dahan Puja

The act of worship precedes Holika Dahan:

• To do this, approach Holika and take a seat with your back to the east or north.
• It takes three or seven parikramas to wrap raw cotton around Holika. Unadulterated. One by one, water and other worship supplies are dedicated to Holika.
• Water is presented to Ardhya following the worship.
• One pot with water, coconut, moong, batashe, gulal, rice, aroma, flowers, raw cotton, jaggery, and whole turmeric.
• Included are new agricultural fractions such as wheat ears and ripe grams.

Recognition of Holi

Eating grains cooked over a Holika fire is said to maintain one’s health. Negative energy can be eliminated from the house by bringing the leftover fire and ashes from Holi inside first thing the following morning.

Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan concludes with Holika worship. It is customary to do Holika Dahan following Bhadra.

– Not even on Chaturdashi Tithi or Pratipada is Holika Dahan performed.

– It is never appropriate to complete Holika Dahan before dusk.

Holi Puja Timings:

Holika Dahan: Mar 24, 2024

Holi (Dhuleti): Mar 25, 2024

Purnima Tithi Begins: 09:54 AM on Mar 24, 2024

Purnima Tithi Ends: 12:29 PM on Mar 25, 2024

Holika Dahan Muhurta: 23:13 PM to 00:40 AM, Mar 25