When is Holika Dahan?
Holi is the most celebrated festivals of India which falls in the month of Phalguna (Falgun), every year. People celebrate Holi across India or you can rather say across the world. Holi this year is falling on Monday, March 29. The first day of the festival is “Chhoti Holi” or “Holika Dahan” and the second day is “Dhuleti” or “Holi”. This year Holika Dahan will be celebrated on Sunday 28 March 2021.
Holika Dahan 2021 time
According to Hindu scriptures, Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi should be done during Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing. Bhadra prevails during the first half of Purnimasi Tithi and all good work should be avoided when Bhadra prevails.
Holika Dahan muhurat 2021 is
From 06:37 pm To 08:56 pm (Duration: 02 hours 20 mins)
Bhadra Punchha: 10:13 am to 11:16 am
Bhadra Mukha: 11:16 am to 01:00 pm
On the day of Holika Dahan, Purnima Tithi begins at 03:27 am on Mar 28, 2021, and ends at 12:17 am on Mar 29, 2021.
Holika Dahan is celebrated one night before Holi. It is believed that by performing Holika Puja at the festival of Holi, all kinds of fears are overcome. There is a popular story about Holika Dahan, which we are giving you here.
The Story of Holika Dahan
The most popular story is about Prahlad a devotee of Lord Vishnu and the demon Holika. According to the Hindu Puranas, Prahlad was the son of the demon Hiranyakashipu and his wife Kayadhu. Hiranyakashipu, who won over the earth and was an enemy of Lord Vishnu. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to praise only him. But his child, Prahlad became an ardent fan of Lord Vishnu and declined to worship his father. He did not want Prahlada to worship Lord Vishnu. He was against being a devotee of his son Lord Vishnu.
Hiranyakashyap attempted a number of ways to eliminate his kid Prahlad however Lord Vishnu saved him whenever. One day, he plans to kill his son with the help of his sister Holika. he asked Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. He knows that Holika had an advantage, where, she could get in the fire unharmed. Holika had a divine shawl, which was gifted by Brahma Ji to save her from fire. Holika lured Prahlad to sit with him in the ravaged bonfire. Holika was not aware that the benefit of divine shawl worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Due to the grace of Lord Vishnu, the divine shawl protected Prahlada instead of Holika. Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu all this while, came out unharmed and demon Holika burnt to ashes. Lord Vishnu blessed him for his extreme dedication. After this, Lord Vishnu killed king Hiranyakashipu. Holi obtains its name from Holika and is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Hence this festival is known as Holika Dahan.
Holi is also celebrated as the victory of a follower. As the legend illustrates that anyone, howsoever strong, can not harm a true devotee. And, those who dare abuse a true fan of god will be reduced to ashes.
Importance of Holika Dahan:
The importance of Holika Dahan is immense. Even today, the scene of ‘Holika’s burning to ashes’ every year marks the victory of good over evil. It is believed that on this day all the evils of society come to an end. On this day people in the village wake up till late at night and sing and dance to the songs of Holi.
Holi comes at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This festival gives people a good reason to rejoice and submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi.
The festival of Holi is significant for us in many ways with fun. It is believed that playing with colors helps to promote good health. As colors are said to have a great impact on our mind and health.
In a number of states of India, specifically in the north, effigies of Holika are burnt in the huge bonfires that are lit. There is even a practice of tossing cow dungs into the fire and screaming obscenities at it as if at Holika. Everywhere one hears shouts of ‘Holi-hai! Holi-hai!’.
The custom of burning ‘Holika’ is consistently followed in Gujarat, West Bengal, and Orissa. Here, people pay their thankfulness to Agni, the god of fire by providing gram and stalks from the harvest with all humility.
Even more, on the last day of Holi, people take a little fire from the bonfire to their homes. It is believed that by following this custom-made their houses will be rendered pure and their bodies will be free from illness. At a number of locations, there is likewise a tradition of cleaning houses, getting rid of all filthy posts from around your home, and burning them. Disease-breeding bacteria are thus ruined and the sanitary condition of the locality is enhanced.
