Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and several other parts of the world. However, before the vibrant festivities of Holi begin, Hindus observe Holika Dahan, also known as Chhoti Holi, which marks the victory of good over evil. Holika Dahan is a significant ritual that takes place on the night before Holi, where a bonfire is lit to symbolize the burning of Holika and the triumph of righteousness. This year, Holika Dahan falls on March 13, and it holds great religious and spiritual importance. Here’s everything you need to know about its shubh muhurat (auspicious timings), pooja vidhi (rituals), samagri (materials required), mantra (sacred chants), and significance.
Date and shubh muhurat for Holika Dahan 2025:
This year, Phalguna Purnima will begin on March 13 at 10:35 AM and end on March 14 at 12:24 PM. Since Bhadra will be present throughout the day on Chhoti Holi, Holika Dahan should only be performed after 11:26 PM, once Bhadra ends and will last till 12:30 AM.
Since Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar, Holika Dahan is observed on Phalguna Purnima (full moon night of the Phalguna month). The auspicious timing for Holika Dahan is determined based on Bhadra Kaal and the Pradosh Kaal. Performing the ritual during the right muhurat ensures positivity and prosperity.
Things to keep in mind during Holika Dahan:
- The bonfire should be lit after sunset during the Pradosh Kaal, ensuring Bhadra Kaal is over.
- Avoid performing Holika Dahan during Bhadra Kaal, as it is considered inauspicious.
- Holika should be burned in an open area, preferably at a public or designated spot in the locality.
Significance of Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and symbolizes the victory of devotion and righteousness over arrogance and evil. The legend associated with this festival is the story of Prahlad, Holika, and Hiranyakashipu, which imparts an important lesson about faith, karma, and divine justice.
The legend of Holika and Prahlad
Hiranyakashipu, the demon king, had gained immense power and considered himself immortal. He ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship him instead of the gods. However, his own son, Prahlad, was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. Furious at Prahlad’s unwavering devotion, Hiranyakashipu attempted several times to kill him, but divine intervention always saved him.
Finally, Hiranyakashipu sought the help of his sister Holika, who had a magical boon that made her immune to fire. She tricked Prahlad into sitting on her lap inside a blazing fire. However, by Lord Vishnu’s grace, Prahlad remained unharmed, while Holika was burned to ashes. This event symbolizes how faith and righteousness always prevail over evil.
This is why people light bonfires on Holika Dahan night to burn negativity, evil thoughts, and bad omens, while embracing positivity, faith, and devotion.
Pooja vidhi (rituals of Holika Dahan)
Performing Holika Dahan with proper rituals ensures blessings, protection from negative forces, and prosperity. Here’s how the auspicious ritual of Holika Dehan is performed:
Step-by-step pooja vidhi for Holika Dahan:
1. Choose an open space, preferably where Holika Dahan has been traditionally performed.
2. Clean the area and make a mandala (sacred circle) with rangoli.
3. Gather wooden logs, dried cow dung cakes, and dried leaves.
4. Arrange the wood in a pyramid shape and place an effigy of Holika and Prahlad made of dung or clay.
3. Offerings and Worship (Pooja):
- Before lighting the fire, offer turmeric, kumkum (vermilion), wheat grains, and flowers.
- Coconut, sugarcane, jaggery, ghee, mustard seeds, and sesame seeds are also offered into the fire.
- People circumambulate the bonfire three or seven times while praying for prosperity and protection from evil.
4. Devotees chant sacred mantras while offering prayers. Some common Holika Dahan mantras include:
“Om namo bhagavate narasimhaya” – Chanting this invokes Lord Narasimha’s blessings.
“Holikaayai namah” – A mantra to remove negativity and evil influences.
5. The fire is lit during the Shubh Muhurat and families nd communities gather around, singing folk songs and bhajans, and offering prayers.
6. The next morning, devotees take some ashes from the bonfire and apply them to their foreheads for spiritual purification. This signifies the elimination of past sins and a fresh start.
Samagri (materials required for pooja)
To perform the Holika Dahan ritual properly, the following items are needed:
- Wood logs, dried cow dung cakes
- Turmeric, kumkum (vermilion), and flowers
- Coconut, jaggery, wheat grains, and sesame seeds
- Mustard seeds and ghee (clarified butter)
- Sugarcane and new crop grains like wheat and barley
- Sacred thread (Moli) and betel leaves
The connection between Holika Dahan and Holi
Holika Dahan and Holi are deeply interconnected. Holika Dahan represents the burning away of evil, while Holi, celebrated the next day, signifies joy, love, and the arrival of spring. The colors of Holi symbolize unity, brotherhood, and happiness. Many people collect the ashes from the Holika Dahan fire and apply them on their foreheads to purify the soul and protect against evil forces. The next day, Holi is celebrated by smearing colors, playing with water, and spreading joy.
Holika Dahan is not just a festival but a reminder of faith, devotion, and divine justice. It teaches us that truth and righteousness always triumph over evil, no matter how strong the opposition. By following the correct rituals, mantras, and muhurat, one can invite positivity, prosperity, and divine blessings into life.
Here’s wishing you a happy and auspicious Holika Dahan! Let’s prepare to burn away negativity, embrace goodness, and celebrate Holi with love, colors, and joy!
