Holika Dahan 2024: Date, Shubh Muhurat and rituals to celebrate the Festival of Colors
Holika Dahan is celebrated a day before Holi. This day marks the victory of good over evil. Read on to know the date, auspicious time and traditions followed.
Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated with vibrant vigor, zeal, love and a platter full of delicacies and delectable snacks. This year Holi will be celebrated on March 25. A day preceding Holi is known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi. This is an auspicious day that will fall on March 24. This day marks the victory of good over evil and has a story leading up to this day. Holika Dahan has cultural and religious significance and marks the beginning of the Holi festival, which follows the next day.
HOLIKA DAHAN 2024: SHUBH MUHURAT, DATE AND MEANING
Holika Dahan takes place on March 24 (Sunday). According to Drik Panchang, Holika Dahan puja should be performed during Pradosh with Bhadra. The Purnima Tithi starts at 09:54 BEN on March 24, 2024, and ends on 12:29 P.M on March 25, 2024.
During Holika Dahan, a bonfire is lit to symbolize the victory of good over evil. People gather around the bonfire and perform religious rituals. This ritual commemorates the story of Prahlada, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, and the demon Holika. According to Hindu mythology, Prahlada’s unwavering faith in Lord Vishnu protected him from Holika’s evil intentions, and she was eventually defeated.
People pray to seek blessings, and they circle around the fire, singing religious hymns and throwing roasted grains, coconut and other symbolic objects into the fire.
Story by Holika Dahan
Prahlada was the son of King Hiranyakashipu, a powerful demon king who considered himself invincible. Hiranyakashipu had received a boon from Lord Brahma, which made him virtually indestructible. However, Prahlada, despite being born in a demon family, was a devoted devotee of Lord Vishnu. He refused to worship his father as a deity and instead continued to worship Lord Vishnu with unwavering faith.
This resistance enraged Hiranyakashipu, the demon king decided to kill his own son. Hiranyakashipu sought the help of his sister, Holika, who had a special cloak that made her immune to fire. They planned to burn Prahlada alive by making Holika sit in the fire with Prahlada on her lap.
As the bonfire was being lit, Prahlada prayed to Lord Vishnu for protection, while Holika sat with him in the fire. To everyone’s surprise, Holika was consumed by the fire and perished, while Prahlada emerged from the fire unscathed.
The story of Prahlada and Holika reminds us of the importance of faith, devotion and justice in times of adversity. It is believed to symbolize the victory of truth, goodness and divine protection.
Wishing you all a very happy and safe Holi!