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.

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!

Weight Loss Tips After Holi 2024: Once the colorful festival is over, get back on track with these 5 tips for a healthier you!

Holi 2024 is just a week away and the season of delectable sweets is also here. Festivals in India bring happiness and a quality time to celebrate with family. It also gives you the opportunity to enjoy delicious food made especially during the festive season.

Well, shortly after the holiday season is over, people try to lose the holiday weight they put on. By making small and healthy changes, you can lose that festive weight quickly. That’s why in this article we’ve shared five ways to lose excess belly fat after the holidays. These tips will also help you start your April healthier and fitter. Have a look!

TRY THESE 5 TIPS TO LOSE FAT POST-HOLI 2024

1. Cutting back on carbohydrate intake: Since people tend to overeat carbohydrate-rich foods such as fried snacks and sweets during festivals, the first step you should take is to reduce the consumption of foods rich in sugars such as sweets, rice and junk food such as pasta, pizza etc.
2. Get more proteins: Chicken, legumes, eggs, fish, lamb, etc. contain a lot of proteins. It is advisable to have more protein in your diet as it will keep you satiated for longer.
3. Drink plenty of water: Keeping yourself well hydrated by drinking enough water will boost your metabolism and increase the feeling of fullness. Research shows that drinking water half an hour before a meal can help you eat fewer calories.
4. Don’t go overboard with alcohol: Festival means being addicted to alcohol. Post the festivals, give your system a break from alcohol as it leads to weight gain, and we tend to eat foods that are high in calories.
5. Stay active: Moreover, extra weight can be lost effectively by doing some physical workouts in addition to healthy eating. Adding high-intensity workouts and muscle-building exercises to your workout routine can help improve metabolism and burn calories quickly.

Want to amp up your fashion game on Holi this time? Add these 5 style hacks and you are all set to celebrate the festival in style.

Holi 2024 style guide: As we step into March, it’s time to get ready for the vibrant and cheerful festival of colors that is all set to paint us in shades of joy. Besides a splash of color, Holi also brings about the universal appeal of love, fun and cheerfulness. This celebration is not only a feast for the eyes, but also an occasion that brings people together and blurs social boundaries. But while there are many more reasons to be totally excited about this festival, it’s also time to reconsider how we dress for this dazzling party. Embracing the essence of Holi in the true sense of the word, this is only possible when we are completely saturated with colors. And while doing so, let’s also focus on keeping your style quotient high.

Here is a list of 5 playful yet stylish outfits to embrace the festivals of colors:

1. Choose comfort with a touch of style
   
   Any outfit can become tacky if you don’t feel comfortable in it, especially if you choose a Holi outfit. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. Fabrics such as cotton that are lightweight and dry quickly would work best. White or light-colored clothes make the most of the vibrant colors, but you can add a trendy twist with tie-dye or batik prints to match the Holi theme.
2. Fusion Wear for a contemporary look
   
   If you can’t decide between a traditional or western look, go for fusion. By mixing and matching traditional and modern elements, you will not only create a unique look, but also stand out. Pair a traditional white kurta with denim shorts or a palazzo with a tank top. To complete the look, you can decorate it with ethnic jewelry such as jhumkas or bracelets for a festive touch.
3. Waterproof accessories for functional fashion
   
   Color and water are unavoidable on Holi. Choose accessories that protect more than just your essentials. but also making sure you look stylish is of utmost importance on Holi. Silicone or plastic watches, bags and sunglasses can enhance your style while being practical. Choose vibrant, waterproof footwear such as flip-flops or slides that are easy to wash out. These accessories ensure that you can enjoy the festival without damage to your essentials.
4. Protective and stylish hairstyles
   
   When it comes to looking your best, your hairstyle can make or break it. Holi colors are harsh and full of chemicals that can in turn make your hair dry, brittle and dull. To keep it protected, opt for chic hairstyles that not only protect your hair but also make it look stylish, such as braids, buns or a turban wrap with a colorful scarf.
5. Go bold with environmentally friendly colors
   
   In a nod to the eco-conscious, you can choose outfits that complement the natural, eco-friendly Holi colors. Organic colors often come in beautiful, earthy tones that can inspire your Holi wardrobe. Think organic cotton T-shirts in pastel shades or naturally dyed scarves that add a pop of color without harming the planet. This approach not only makes a fashion statement, but also promotes a healthier and more sustainable way of celebrating.

I hope this helped. Follow us for more fashion related content.

Cricket legend Matthew Hayden and his broadcaster daughter Grace were spotted arriving at Perth Airport on Friday.

The father and daughter pair were in Western Australia this weekend to appear at the Mandurah Crab Festival.

Matthew, 52, wore a blue Ralph Lauren button-up shirt and acid wash jeans.

He completed his look with white sneakers, mirror lens sunglasses and a bone-colored akubra hat as he carried the luggage.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Grace embraced the warm WA climate with a white shirt with puffed sleeves, complete with cleavage-revealing bows.

Wearing loose jeans and black sandals, she left the terminal with her father.

Sports presenter Grace completed her look with statement sunglasses and a Never Full MM Luis Vuitton bag that retails for around $3,050.

The young beauty has quickly made a name for herself as a rising star in sports broadcasting.

Her breakthrough role as an Oaks Day Ambassador at the 2022 Spring Racing Carnival thrust her into the spotlight as an authority on on-track fashion and glamor for Seven Racing.

In 2022, she followed in her father’s footsteps into cricket broadcasting, making her debut as a presenter on Star Sports in a star-studded World Cup panel that included Mayanti Langer, Jatin Sapru, Ricky Ponting and Eoin Morgan.

Daily Mail Australia recently revealed rumors are swirling that she and former AFL player Campbell Brown, 40, have become romantically linked since splitting from his wife.

Before that, she was rumored to be dating another AFL star.

In 2022, Grace set tongues wagging when she dated North Melbourne midfielder Curtis Taylor after being spotted at The Birdcage during TAB Champions Stakes Day.

Brown and Hayden are both represented by TLA Worldwide, a leading talent and marketing agency that connects sports names with brands and fans.

Last year, Grace and Brown were announced as racing ambassadors for the Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival in Tasmania.

The pair were photographed dancing together at the festival’s launch in the days after reports emerged that Brown’s marriage had ended.

Grace and her father will perform twice this weekend at the Spudshed Cooking Stage in Mandurah, where audiences will experience a live cooking session with the cricketing celebrities.

Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi enjoyed a public afternoon date at the Cheltenham Festival, as did other royal family members such as King Charles III And Princess Kate Middletoncontinue to take it easy amid health challenges and ongoing controversies.

Beatrice, 35, and Mapelli Mozzi, 40, were all smiles on the third day of the annual horse racing competition on Thursday, March 14. Beatrice looked chic in a tan coat and matching headpiece. Mapelli Mozzi complemented his wife and opted for a tweed jacket over his beige suit and a gray flat cap.

On Thursday, Cheltenham honored St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on Sunday, March 17, with special “St. Patrick’s Thursday” programming.

“Where the Irish passion for sport and the Cheltenham Festival reigns supreme and the madness is great,” reads a summary of the festivities via the festival website. “The Cheltenham Festival is a second home to the Irish and St Patrick’s Thursday reflects this both on and off the course. Featuring The Ryanair Chase and Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle, where stamina and endurance reign supreme. It is the hard against the hard and produces the most exciting fights.”

Beatrice, the eldest daughter of Prince Andreas And Sarah Ferguson, wasn’t the only royal to appear in Cheltenham. Her aunt Princess Anneas well as nieces and nephews Zara Tindal And Peter Phillips and sister Princess Eugenie also appeared on the track with a big smile. Both Zara, 42, and Eugenie, 33, were accompanied by their respective husbands, Mike Tindal And Jack Brooksbank. Queen Camillewho is married to Charles, also stepped out for the race on Wednesday, March 13.

The royal family’s presence in Cheltenham comes at a difficult time for their family. Charles, 75, is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer and has limited his public duties as a result. However, he continues to hold audiences and meetings at Buckingham Palace.

Princess Kate MiddletonIn the meantime, he is recovering at home after abdominal surgery in January. Kate, 42, had not been seen in public for two months until grainy photos emerged of the princess driving a car earlier this month. She broke her silence on Sunday, March 10, and shared a message of gratitude on social media, along with a new photo with her children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The portrait – taken by Kate’s husband, Prince William, earlier in 2024 – raised concerns at Photoshop because it appeared someone had tampered with the original image. Kate later admitted to playing with editing software and called herself an “amateur photographer.”

With both Charles and Kate out of commission as senior working royals for the time being, that leaves Camilla, 76, William, 41. Prince Edward And Duchess Sophie to conduct public outings and performances. (Both Camilla and William took a brief break from their duties last month, but have since returned to normal.) Beatrice can also take on certain roles for Charles, as she is one of his state advisors, allowing the monarch to delegate certain tasks . in his absence.

Nick Knowles and his fiancée Katie Dadzie walked hand in hand as they attended the third day of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.

The DIY SOS presenter, 61, who proposed to Katie, 33, in New Orleans in July, looked happier than ever with his wife-to-be.

She presented herself stylishly in a burgundy red wool coat with gold buttons, which she combined with a pair of heeled boots.

Katie styled her look with a green patterned silk scarf and a matching leather handbag, before pinning her hair with a black bow.

Nick opted for a sleek navy blue suit with a white shirt, a colorful tie and a brown waxed jacket over it.

Elsewhere, Josie Gibson and Sam Thompson were spotted attending the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The former I’m A Celebrity campmates have reunited to report on the racing for ITV’s This Morning.

Arriving at the racecourse, Sam, 31, wore a cute jockey hat complete with googles and a whip as he posed for photos with his co-star, 39.

Josie could barely contain her laughter as the radio host got into character and pretended to be riding an imaginary horse.

She made for a stylish presentation and opted for a long khaki coat with a white blouse and knee-high suede boots.

Josie completed her look with a trilby hat and silk scarf, curling her hair into glamorous curls.

Meanwhile, Sam wore a blue suit with a white shirt, navy blue tie and brown suede shoes for the event.

Cheltenham Festival punters faced ‘absolute bedlam’ trying to leave the racecourse as heavy rain caused traffic chaos on the opening day of the event.

Heavy rain and soggy fields created a nightmare in the festival car parks as thousands tried to get home at the end of an exciting day of racing.

Vehicles became stuck in the heavy mud, causing queues of up to two hours on the opening day of the four-day event.

Those arriving to watch today’s race are also likely to encounter travel difficulties as footage this morning has shown tractors pulling stuck cars out of the thick mud after more heavy rain fell overnight.

More than 60,000 supporters attended the opening day of the prestigious 164-year-old race, swarming the course grandstands, racing rings and Guinness Village.

Rain was expected to fall this week, but last night’s showers were significantly heavier than forecast, forcing today’s Glenfarclas Cross-County Chase to be postponed.

The race is held on a different track than other races at the festival and does not drain very well.

The track had expected 2-4mm of rain overnight, but 6mm has already fallen – and a further 6mm of rain is forecast.

A Cheltenham spokesperson said: “Following 11mm of rain yesterday, there has been no improvement in conditions on the Cross Country Course and with parts of the course unrideable the Cross Country Chase has unfortunately been abandoned.

“Forecasts for the remainder of the week remain uncertain, with further showers likely on both Thursday and Friday.

“There will therefore be insufficient improvement on the Cross Country course on Friday and it has been decided not to reschedule the race.”

By Codie Bullen for Mailonline

Published: 04:13 EDT, March 14, 2024 | Updated: 04:14 EDT, March 14, 2024

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What TV channel is it on and can I stream it?

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