Guide For Holika Dahan 2025 – Date, Muhurat Time & Significance
Holika Dahan, meaning Holika’s burning, is an important custom and an integral part of Holi celebrations. Also known as Chhoti Holi, Holika Dahan is celebrated on the eve of the festival of colours with great enthusiasm. A great bonfire is set up and lit as a symbolic burning of evil, purging negative energy from our lives. Take a deep dive into all details regarding this auspicious custom including dates, shubh muhurat timings, its history and significance, and more.
Holika Dahan 2025 Dates
The celebrations for Holi begin on Purnima, the full moon day, in the Falguna month of the Hindu calendar. In 2025, Holi (Dhulandi) will be celebrated on the 14th of March, and therefore, Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi) will take place on the 13th. Just before midnight, people in every city, town, and village in India will gather around their locality’s Holika bonfire to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Also Read: Holi Calendar 2025
Shubh Muhurat for Holika Dahan 2025
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Holika Dahan is performed at a specific time, calculated from the position of the moon. It shouldn’t be performed in the Bhadra period, considered to be an inauspicious time. Pradosh time is the best for Holika Dahan. If Bhadra occurs between Pradosh and midnight and finishes after midnight, then it should be done in Bhadra Punchha. The following are the details regarding the best time to perform Holika Dahan in 2025.
- Holika Dahan Muhurta – From 13 March at 11:25 PM to 12:26 AM, 14 March.
- Duration – 1 Hour and 11 Minutes
- Bhadra Punchha – 06:57 PM to 08:13 PM
- Bhadra Mukha – 08:13 PM to 10:22 PM
- Purnima Tithi Begins – 10:34 AM, 13th March 2025
- Purnima Tithi Ends – 12:23 PM, 14th March 2025
The Legend Behind Holika Dahan
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According to Hindu scriptures, Holika Dahan commemorates the burning of the demoness Holika. Once upon a time, Hiranyakashipu was the demon king who was the conqueror of the three realms. The son of Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad, was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu despite his father’s disapproval. This enraged the king, who tried to kill Prahlad by throwing him off a cliff, crushing him with elephants, and poisoning his food. With Lord Vishnu’s blessings, Prahlad was always saved.
This is how Hiranyakashipu came to enlist the help of his own sister, the demoness Holika. Being immune to fire, she took the child Prahlad and sat within a fire. But defying all expectations Prahlad remained unharmed while the flames consumed the demoness. Ultimately, Hiranyakashipu, too, was defeated by Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu himself. Signifying the defeat of good over evil, this story is remembered by lighting up a bonfire symbolic of the demoness Holika.
Related Post: Places To Celebrate Holi In India
Rituals of Holika Dahan
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The main ritual consists of villagers and townspeople getting together and assembling Holika – a bonfire comprised of sticks, dried leaves, cow dung cakes, sesame seeds, wheat grains, and other organic combustible materials. An effigy made from cloth is placed at the top of the pyre. Flowers, dried coconut, sweets, ghee, and camphor are offered to the purifying fire. People circle the fire, chant hymns, and offer prayers for good health and prosperity. After the fire has burned out, people take the ashes home and put ash tilaks on their foreheads as a form of protection from evil.
The Cultural Significance of Holika Dahan
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Holika Dahan is considered a purifying ritual. The bonfire cleanses one of sins and negativity. It is also a great reason for the community to come together to celebrate unity and joy and uphold good virtues. The ritual also marks the beginning of spring, signifying renewal and regeneration. This sombre celebration sets the stage for a full-blown madness of colours on the next day of Dhulandi.
You May Also Like To Read: Pushkar Holi Festival
This was Holika Dahan in a nutshell. If you’re feeling the hype and can not wait to take part in Holi festivities on a massive scale, plan a trip to India and its best Holi destinations like Mathura, Vrindavan, Pushkar, and more. Or else, enjoy a rangbhari Holi in your own city with your own people and community.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Holika Dahan
Is Holika Dahan and Holi same?
No they’re not the same. Holika Dahan is one part of the festival of Holi. It is celebrated one day before the day of Holi by lighting up a huge bonfire. The next day, people play with colours, and this is known as Dhulandi.
What is the story behind Holika Dahan?
Holika was a demoness immune to fire, who upon her brother’s call, tried to kill his devout son by sitting in a fire. The son, Prahlad, was unaffected, but Holika caught fire and died. The story signifies the defeat of evil.
What do you do on Holika Dahan?
People of a locality come together and gather before a giant bonfire. After lighting the fire, they worship and circumambulate it (also known as Parikrama). Dried coconut, laung, and camphor are offered to the fire.
What are the rules for Holika Dahan?
While taking part in Holika Dahan, one must take care to take a bath beforehand, and build the holika with sticks, dried leaves, flowers, cow dung cakes, mustard oil, and sesame seeds. Maintain cleanliness and be respectful.
Is Holi celebrated on Amavasya or Purnima?
Holi is celebrated on the Purnima (full moon night) of the Falguna month of the Hindu year.
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Abhay Kumar is a graduate of English Literature. Writing is both his hobby and his passion. He writes academic research articles as well as poetry and short fiction. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and translated fiction. He also loves traveling and writing about himself in the third person.
