Holika Dahan 2024: What Is The Story Behind Holika Dahan? Know Date, Time And Puja Vidhi

According to Drik Panchang, this year, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 24, while Holi will be celebrated the very next day, March 25.

Holika Dahan 2024 (Representational Image)

Source : Getty

New Delhi: Holi is one of the major festivals of India. According to the Hindu calendar, Holika Dahan is celebrated a day before Holi, which is a full moon day. It is an important ritual in Hindu culture during Holi and is celebrated on the full moon night of Falgun month and is also called Choti Holi. Holika Dahan mainly commemorates the killing of the demoness 'Holika' by Lord Vishnu.

Holika Dahan: Date And Time

According to Drik Panchang, this year, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 24, while Holi will be celebrated the very next day, March 25. Here is all you need to know about the timings and shubh muhurat:

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.

• Bhadra Punchha - 06:33 PM to 07:53 PM
• Bhadra Mukha - 07:53 PM to 10:06 PM
• Holika Dahan during Pradosh with Bhadra

• Purnima Tithi Begins - 09:54 AM on Mar 24, 2024
• Purnima Tithi Ends - 12:29 PM on Mar 25, 2024

Holika Dahan: Legend

According to legend, the demon king Hiranyakashipu received five mystical abilities of protection in return for his penance, which he thought would combine to make him immortal. He compelled his subjects to worship him as a deity since he was adamant about this notion. His son Prahlad, however, refrained from doing so and remained true to his devotion to the real god Vishnu. Thus, Hiranyakashipu often tried to kill his son out of malice, but he was always unsuccessful.

So, one day, he asked his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Now, Holika was given a boon that she would be unharmed by fire, so, she took Prahlad on her lap and entered the fire so that he would be burnt alive. But, on the contrary, it was Holika who got burnt and died as Prahlad's devotion to Lord Vishnu saved him.

Holika Dahan: Puja Samagri

• A coconut with husk.
• A Kalash full of water (please avoid steel Kalash. Instead, you may use bronze, copper or silver).
• Akshat (unbroken rice mixed with turmeric)
• Deep (oil lamp - sesame/mustard oil, cotton wick, and brass or earthen lamp)
• Agarbatti 
• Cotton thread (Kalava)
• Turmeric (Haldi)
• Kumkum (Vermillion)
• Cow dung cakes and idols of Holika and Prahlad made of cow dung
• Logs of wood
• Flowers
• Gulal
• Moong daal
• Batasha or any other sweet 

Holika Dahan: Puja Vidhi

On the day of Holika Dahan, sit facing east or north near Holika. Begin by worshiping Lord Ganesha. Perform the puja of Holika with roli, akshat, batashe, raw turmeric, gulal, coconut, etc. Now, wrap raw thread around wooden logs three times. While chanting the mantra 'Asrikpabhayasamtrastai: Krta tvam holi balishai:। Atastvam pujayishyami bhute bhutiprada bhava।।', circumambulate the Holi fire seven times, sprinkling water around Holika during this process.

Holika Dahan: Significance

When you pray for the accomplishment of aspirations while circling around Holika's fire, which is regarded as being exceedingly sacred, all of your wishes are granted. At the Holika fire, one should give up ego and ignorance and follow the Dharma. You should also worship God the same way Prahlad did in addition to this.