Holi 2020: What Is Significance Of Holika Dahan? Check Date, Muhurta, Timing; Wishes, Quotes, Images

Holi 2020: The celebrations of Holi go on for two days. The first day of the festival is on the eve of Holi which is known as Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan.

Holi, the festival of colors is the second biggest Hindu festival after Diwali that is celebrated every year. (Getty images)

New Delhi: Holi, the festival of colors is the second biggest Hindu festival after Diwali that is celebrated every year. It is observed at the end of the winters after the full Moon in the month of Phalgun and is also called the Spring Festival, as it marks the arrival of spring, the start of the harvest season. The celebrations of Holi go on for two days. The first day of the festival is on the eve of Holi which is known as Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan. People lit a bonfire on Holika Dahan and a special type of Puja is performed to mark the occasion and to burn evil spirits. While the second day is known as Dhuleti or Holi, which is marked by people exchanging sweets and mingling among themselves.

Significance of Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is celebrated by burning Holika, an asura. For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi celebrates the killing of Holika by Vishnu in order to save Prahlad, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap, the Demon King, wanted everyone to worship him, but his son, Prahlad, refused to do so. The Demon King was angry and asked his sister Holika, to take Prahlad in her arms and enter a blazing fire, as she was granted with a boon that had made her immune to fire. However, she got burnt to death as the boon was only applicable when she enter the fire alone. And therefore, this way the Lord protected Prahlad. The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India, Nepal and parts of South India in keeping with this tradition. The fire burnt on the eve of Holi (Holika Dahan) symbolizes the burning of Holika.

Date and time of Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is on Monday, March 9, 2020 Holika Dahan Muhurta The auspicious time according to Drik Panchang is 06:47 PM to 09:11 PM The total duration - 02 Hours 25 Mins

Choti Holi or Holika Dahan wishes

Here are some wishes, images, greetings, and messages on the occasion of Holika Dahan- * May God paint the canvas of your life with the colours of joy, love, happiness, prosperity, and good health. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Choti Holi. * Wishing you a very Happy Choti Holi filled with sweet moments and colourful memories to happiness with love and care. * Let the colors of Holi spread happiness, joy, peace and love all around. Wishing you a blessed Holi! * May all the seven colors of the rainbow come together this Holi and bless your life with happiness and joy. Have a Happy Holi! * Let’s make a bonfire of our pride and negativity and bring in a fresh start. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Choti Holi. * May this Holi fill your whole life with colours, happiness and prosperity! May you have a joyous and contented life filled with happiness! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Choti Holi.