Holika Dahan होलिका दहन
Dedicated to Vishnu
About Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan, celebrated on the eve of Holi, involves the ritual burning of a bonfire symbolizing the destruction of evil. The legend narrates how Prahlad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, was saved from the fire while his evil aunt Holika perished in it despite possessing a fire-resistant cloak. Communities gather around the bonfire, perform parikrama (circumambulation), and offer coconut, grains, and sesame to the flames. The timing of Holika Dahan is determined by Vedic muhurta — it should ideally be performed after sunset during Purnima tithi when Bhadra has ended. In astrology, this full moon in Phalguna carries powerful cleansing energy, making it an ideal time to release negative patterns and karmic baggage.
होलिका दहन, होली की पूर्व संध्या पर मनाया जाता है, जिसमें बुराई के विनाश के प्रतीक के रूप में अलाव जलाया जाता है। कथा के अनुसार, भगवान विष्णु के भक्त प्रह्लाद आग से बच गए जबकि उनकी दुष्ट बुआ होलिका अग्निरोधी वस्त्र होने के बावजूद उसमें भस्म हो गईं। समुदाय अलाव के चारों ओर एकत्र होते हैं, परिक्रमा करते हैं और नारियल, अनाज तथा तिल आग में अर्पित करते हैं। होलिका दहन का समय वैदिक मुहूर्त द्वारा निर्धारित होता है — आदर्श रूप से यह सूर्यास्त के बाद पूर्णिमा तिथि में भद्रा समाप्त होने पर किया जाना चाहिए। ज्योतिष में फाल्गुन की यह पूर्णिमा शक्तिशाली शुद्धिकरण ऊर्जा वहन करती है।
Spiritual Significance
Holika Dahan embodies the eternal truth that devotion and righteousness always triumph over evil, regardless of the power wielded by the oppressor. The burning of Holika represents the destruction of ego, attachment, and negative tendencies that obstruct spiritual growth.
होलिका दहन इस शाश्वत सत्य का मूर्त रूप है कि भक्ति और धर्म हमेशा बुराई पर विजय प्राप्त करते हैं, चाहे अत्याचारी की शक्ति कितनी भी हो। होलिका का दहन अहंकार, आसक्ति और नकारात्मक प्रवृत्तियों के विनाश का प्रतीक है जो आध्यात्मिक विकास में बाधक हैं।
Key Rituals & Practices
- Lighting the Holika bonfire after sunset at the auspicious muhurta
- Performing parikrama (circumambulation) around the fire
- Offering coconut, grains, sesame, and new harvest to the flames
- Applying tilak from the bonfire ash for protection
- Singing devotional songs praising Prahlad's devotion
- Roasting wheat, gram, and corn in the fire as prasad
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct muhurta for Holika Dahan?
Holika Dahan should be performed after sunset when Purnima tithi is prevailing and Bhadra has ended. Bhadra is an inauspicious period that sometimes overlaps with Purnima evening. If Bhadra extends late, the dahan should be delayed until after Bhadra ends, even if it means performing it late at night. Performing Holika Dahan during Bhadra is considered inauspicious.
Who was Holika and why was she burned?
Holika was the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu and the aunt of young devotee Prahlad. When Hiranyakashipu could not kill Prahlad for worshipping Vishnu, Holika — who had a divine boon making her immune to fire — sat in the fire with Prahlad on her lap. By divine grace, the fire-proof cloak flew from Holika to Prahlad, and she was consumed by the flames instead.
Why is Holika Dahan ash applied as tilak?
The ash from Holika Dahan is considered sacred because it represents the destruction of evil. Applying it as tilak on the forehead is believed to protect from negative energies and evil eye for the coming year. Many people also take some ash home and keep it in their prayer room as a protective element.
Festival Details
- Deity
- Vishnu
- Category
- Color & Joy
- Regions
- Pan-India
- Calendar Basis
- Hindu Lunar (Panchang)
- Hindu Month
- Phalguna — Shukla Paksha, Purnima
- Importance
- major