Holi 2023: Date, Time, Holika Dahan Shubh Muhurat And All That You Need To Know

Holika Dahan mainly commemorates the killing of the demoness 'Holika' by Lord Vishnu. This year, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 7, while Holi will be celebrated the very next day, March 8. 

Holika Dahan mainly commemorates the killing of the demoness 'Holika' by Lord Vishnu. ( Image Source :Getty )

New Delhi: Holi 2023 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 while celebrating Holi. It 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.

This year, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 7, while Holi will be celebrated the very next day, March 8. 

Holika Dahan Muhurat: 06:24 PM to 08:51 PM on March 7

Bhadra Punchha: 12:43 AM to 02:01 AM on March 7

Bhadra Mukha: 02:01 AM to 04:11 AM on March 7

Purnima Tithi: 04:17 PM on March 6 to 06:09 PM on March 7- full moon lunar day

Story Behind Holika Dahan:

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 

Importance Of Holika Dahan:

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.