Holi has special importance in Hindu culture. The festival of colors is an important ritual that is observed in all parts of India. Holika Dahan, which falls a day before Holi, is known by various names like Kamudu Pyre or Holika. This festival is beyond all religious discrimination. This fun and frolic festival is played with plenty of colors and is also a symbol of brotherhood.

Holika Dahan 2024 will be observed on 24 March 2024 while Holi will be celebrated on the very next day that is on 25 March 2024. The Holi celebration lasts for 2 consecutive days in March. Holika Dahan time varies as per the panchang. Majorly the festival of Holi is observed the next day of the full moon of Phagun Shukla Paksha.

Holika Dahan 2024 Muhurat Time

The Holika Dahan date, according to the Hindu calendar, is on March 24 of this year.

Note that the highly auspicious time for Holika Dahan is from 7:19 pm to 9:37 pm. 

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Holika Dahan Story

The Holika story relates to King Hiranyakashipu, who observed strict penance to fulfill his desires, as per the Bhagavata Purana. Lord Brahma, delighted by his penance, granted a boon that gave five special powers to the king. These powers blessed him to be killed - 

• neither by human being nor animal
• neither indoors nor outdoors
• neither at day nor night
• neither by astra nor by any shastra 
• neither on land, in water, nor air.

He started to consider himself unstoppable once he was granted this wish. Being egoistic, he ordered everybody in this kingdom to worship only him. He punished whoever did not obey his orders. 

Contrary to this, Hiranyakashipu's son Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and did not worship his father. Even after a lot of efforts by the king, Prahlad did not stop worshiping Lord Vishnu. This made Hiranyakashipu furious, and he began to attempt to kill his son. However, Prahlad got saved every time, and hence, the king asked his sister Holika for help. 

Holika, who was granted a boon which made her immune to fire, forgot that the boon applied only if she entered the fire alone. In order to kill Prahlad, Holika sat on the fire holding Prahlad while he kept on chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. Holika got burnt in the fire while Prahlad came out safe. Narasimha, Lord Vishnu's 4th incarnation then killed the demon Hiranyakashipu. The name Holi has been derived from the name Holika, and every year, the effigy of Holika is kept during Holika Dahan to mark the victory of good over evil.

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Holika Dahan Meaning & Rituals

Devotees start the preparation for this festival many days before. To light the bonfire they start collecting wood and several other flammable materials. This bonfire is usually done in parks or near temples.

Holika Pujan is done a day before the Phalgun Poornima during the evening by knowing the auspicious time for this ceremony. You can also consult an astrologer in case anything keeps you in doubt about Holika Dahan.

On this auspicious day of Holi Puja, an effigy of Holika and Prahalad is placed on the heap of wood. Whereas the effigy of Prahlad is made of non-flammable material and the effigy of Holika is made of flammable material.

As per the Holika Dahan Story, the Holika Dahan meaning symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Later, people offer various things to Holika to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

We wish you a Happy Holika Dahan!

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FAQs

Q.1 Which God Killed Holika?

Ans. As per the Holika Story, Prahlada started praying to Lord Vishnu when Holika made him sit with her on a huge bonfire. Lord Vishnu saved Prahlada by calling a gust of wind that blew off Holika's shawl.

Q.2 What does the Holika Dahan Story signify?

Ans. It marks the victory of good over evil.

Q.3 As per the Holika Story, who gave Holi its name?

Ans. Holi is derived from Holika, the demon sister of wicked King Hiranyakashyap.