Holika Dahan in 2025 – All You Need To Know About It
Holi, the Festival of Colours, is celebrated in March every year. Holika Dahan, meaning Holika’s burning, is an important custom and an integral part of Holi celebrations. Also known as Chhoti Holi, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on the 13th of March this year, on the eve of the festival of Holi. Rooted in the mythic tale of Prahlad and Holika, this day signifies the victory of good over evil.
A great bonfire is lit as a symbolic burning of evil, purging negative energy from our lives. Devotees participate in Holi puja and pray for a good harvest. The next day is spent in the festivities with sweets, colours, and water guns. Take a deep dive into all the details regarding this auspicious custom of Holika Dahan, including dates, shubh muhurat timings, its history and significance, and more.
Holika Dahan (Date & Time)
Holi celebrations 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 March 2025; therefore, Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi) will take place on the 13th March 2025. 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.
Holika Dahan Timings (Shubh Muhurat)
Holika Dahan is performed at a specific time, calculated from the moon’s position. It shouldn’t be performed in the Bhadra period, considered to be an inauspicious time. Pradosh time is the best for Holi ka Dahan. If Bhadra occurs between Pradosh and midnight and finishes after midnight, it should be done in Bhadra Punchha. The following are the details about Holika Dahan and the best time to perform Holi Puja 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
Also Read: Holi Calendar 2025
Holika Dahana History
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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, 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 Prahlad remained unharmed while the flames consumed the demoness, defying all expectations. 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
How to Celebrate Holika Dahana
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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, camphor, and other Holi puja items 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 to protect them from evil.
Importance of Holika Dahana
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Holika Dahan is considered a purifying ritual. The bonfire cleanses one of sins and negativity. It is also an excellent 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 all about 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 city with your 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.
