Curious about what होलिका दहन is? Then here, we will navigate you into each minute detail about this festival by starting with its basic details, like when it will fall this year and its history and significance. So, let’s pace up!
Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is one of India's most vibrant festivals, showcasing the triumph of good over evil. In 2025, we will celebrate it on Thursday, the 13th of March. The date is always determined as per the lunar calendar. The auspicious time to commemorate this festivity or the
The Significance & History Of The Festivity
With Holika Dahan the night before, we, the people of India, embark on our celebration of Holi the next day. So, if the Holika Dahan is performed on the 13th of March, then the next day will be celebrated as Holi. People splash colors on each other, smothering playmates in the colored powder.
The day of Holi is contemplated as winter ends and spring starts. Dol Purnima, Manjal Kuli, Rangwali Holi, Shigmo, and Dhulandi are some of the Holi Fest’s other names.
For Holika Dahan, a large crowd gathers around a burning effigy (प्रतिमा का दहन). The fire is lit as soon as the evening sets, which symbolizes the death of the evil spirit. Holika Dahan revolves around the narrative of Holika and Prahlad. Hiranyakashapu, who was the father of Prahlad, was a powerful king once who attained the powers of a god.
He was blessed that no one could harm him or take his life. So he declared himself a god and insisted everyone worship him. But the king’s own son refused to worship him as he was an ardent follower of Lord Vishnu, who is the supreme being.
Knowing this, Hiranyakashyapa got angry and attempted to murder his son. However, he failed in his attempt and asked her sister Holika for help. Holika, who was immune to fire, had to convince Prahlad to get into the flaming pyre, which would result in his death. But Lord Vishnu came there at that time and to their disappointment, their plan failed and Vishnu saved Prahlad and instead of Prahlad, Holika got burned in the fire, even though she was immune to fire.
After that, Lord Vishnu was given the title of "The Protector of Good,” and due to this event, Holika Dahan was performed one day before Holi to represent the victory of good over bad.
Rituals & Customs For Holika Dahan
- People first start by lighting up the bonfire, using large quantities of wood, dried leaves, or other flammable substances.
- A रंगीन चादर is then laid down or the red dye at the base of the bonfire as a symbol of purity.
- The entire community gathers to celebrate this event.
- A dummy effigy is prepared, which is considered as Holika and it is set on the top of bonfire material.
- People who gather at the celebration take परिक्रमा around the bonfire. They walk around at least three times or seven times in a clockwise direction.
- Some people also enact the whole story of Holika to spark up the moment of the event.
- People do prayers and ask for blessings from Lord Vishnu at that time.
- Various Mantras too are chanted at that time, such as
"ॐ होलिकायै नमः।"
Om Holikayai Namah
which means "I bow to Holika," acknowledging the victory of good over evil.
"ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय"
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
& so many more.
- The people present in the ritual also wear 5 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala to enhance the spiritual devotion to this practice. Get the original Mala only at pandit.com
- Sacred items are also offered into the fire, like घी, चीनी, जौ, तिल, सेंधा नमक as a symbol of sacrifice.
- Puja is done after that with family and community members to take blessings from the fire and feel the flames as a sign of purification.
- People also collect आग की राख from the bonfire because it is believed that the ash in the residue holds great spiritual energy.
- Devotees also place the ash on their foreheads and some also sprinkle it around the home to purify the aura or the environment from the negative energies.
- In the end, sweets and delicacies are offered to the ones present in the celebration, such as गुजिया, मठरी, and पुए.
In Conclusion
So, Holika Dahan provides a very good message to all of us that we should never bear pride in our minds and also must follow the path to righteousness. The bonfire in Holika Fest inspires every one of us to cast aside the darkness we have in our lives and live with positivity.
Therefore, this Holika Dahan, bury all the negative thoughts into the lit fire and cleanse your soul from all the bad habits that stuck your path to success.
Have a great time celebrating Holika Dahan!
