Holika Dahan is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on the night before Holi, a colorful festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. It falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which typically falls in February or March. In 2024, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 24.
Significance and importance of Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is an essential festival in Hinduism that signifies the victory of good over evil and the protection of the righteous. It holds great importance for Hindus and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across India and other parts of the world.
The festival commemorates the story of Prahlad, the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the power of devotion and faith.
Holika Dahan is celebrated on the night before Holi, a colorful festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. The bonfire that is lit during Holika Dahan signifies the burning of Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashipu, who was burnt to death instead of Prahlad, who was saved by Lord Vishnu’s grace.
The festival is also significant as it marks the beginning of the Holi festival. People celebrate Holi by smearing each other with colored powder and water, dancing, and feasting. It is a time for joy, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
Holika Dahan is a time for people to come together, offer prayers, and seek blessings from the divine. It is believed that the fire from the bonfire has purifying properties and can ward off evil spirits and negative energies.
Story of Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan holds great importance in Hinduism as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It commemorates the story of Prahlad, the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu had become arrogant and had demanded that everyone worship him instead of any deity. However, Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, refused to do so, which angered Hiranyakashipu. He attempted to kill Prahlad many times, but each time, Lord Vishnu saved him.
Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika, who had a boon that made her immune to fire, offered to help her brother. She took Prahlad in her lap and entered a burning pyre, believing that Prahlad would be burnt to death. However, as the fire blazed, a gust of wind blew and the shawl covering Prahlad flew off Holika and covered him, protecting him from the flames. Holika was burnt to death instead, and Prahlad was saved.
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Pooja mahurat for Holika Dahan
According to Hindu scriptures Holika Dahan, which is also known as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi, should be done during Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing. Bhadra prevails during first half of Purnimasi Tithi and all good work should be avoided when Bhadra prevails.
Holika Dahan on Sunday, March 24, 2024
Holika Dahan Muhurta Start – March 24 | 10:43 AM in (United States)
Holika Dahan Muhurta End – March 24 | 1:25 PM in (United States)
Duration – 01 Hour 14 Mins
Rangwali Holi on Monday, March 25, 2024
Bhadra Punchha Start – March 25 | 6:03 AM in (United States)
Bhadra Punchha End – March 25 | 7:23 AM in (United States)
Bhadra Mukha Start – March 25 | 7:23 AM in (United States)
Bhadra Mukha End – March 25 | 9:36 AM in (United States)
Holika Dahan during Pradosh with Bhadra
Purnima Tithi Begins – March 23 | 9:24 PM in (United States)
Purnima Tithi Ends – March 24 | 11:59 PM in (United States)
Puja rituals on Holika Dahan
- Gather wood, twigs, and other inflammable materials in a public place.
- Perform a pooja and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. This involves lighting a lamp, offering flowers, and performing aarti.
- Make offerings of sweets, fruits, and other delicacies to the fire.
- Offer coconut, betel leaves, and camphor to the fire.
- Before lighting the bonfire, perform a parikrama, or a circular walk around the bonfire, to seek blessings and protection from the divine.
- Light the bonfire as per the mahurat given above
- While the bonfire burns, people sing devotional songs and dance around the fire.
- It is believed that the ashes from the bonfire have purifying properties and can ward off evil spirits and negative energies. Some people take these ashes home as a symbol of protection and blessings.
- After the bonfire has burned down, people take some of the remaining embers and bring them home to start a new fire, which is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
In conclusion, Holika Dahan is a time for people to come together, offer prayers, and seek blessings from the divine. The pooja vidhi for Holika Dahan involves performing a pooja, making offerings to the fire, and lighting the bonfire after sunset. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy, marking the beginning of the Holi festival.
In conclusion, Holika Dahan is an essential festival in Hinduism that signifies the victory of good over evil and the protection of the righteous. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across India and other parts of the world.
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