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Holika Dahan

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Holika Dahan

Why it is celebrated

Holika Dahan is lit on the evening of Phalgun Purnima, the day before the Holi of colours. It remembers the steady devotion of young Prahlad and the victory of good over evil. People gather to light the Holika fire, walk around it and offer ears of the new harvest to the flames.

The story

Long ago there was a proud asura king named Hiranyakashipu. He wanted everyone to stop worshipping God and worship only him. But his own son Prahlad had been a true devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu since childhood and kept the name 'Narayan' on his lips all the time.

The king tried hard to change Prahlad's mind. He scolded him, frightened him and made him suffer in many ways, but Prahlad's devotion did not shake even a little. Each time, the Lord kept him safe.

At last the king called his sister Holika. She had a boon (in some tellings, a special shawl) that fire could not burn her. The plan was that Holika would sit in a fire with Prahlad on her lap.

The fire was lit. Prahlad calmly kept chanting the Lord's name. Then everything turned around: the boon did not work for an evil purpose, Holika could not escape the fire, and Prahlad came out safe, untouched by the flames.

Since then the Holika fire is lit on the evening of Phalgun Purnima. It reminds us that pride and evil lose in the end, and true devotion stands firm.

Puja vidhi

  1. Check the panchang and light the Holika only in the auspicious time that is free of bhadra.
  2. Keep water, roli, akshat, flowers, turmeric, jaggery, a coconut and raw cotton thread in the puja thali.
  3. Worship the Holika and walk around it 3 or 7 times, winding the raw cotton thread around it.
  4. When the fire is lit, offer water and roast ears of new wheat or barley in it.
  5. Remember Bhagwan Vishnu and Bhakt Prahlad and pray for your family's wellbeing.
  6. Bring the roasted ears home as prasad and share them. Keep a safe distance from the fire and watch the children.

Food

Gujiya, mathri, namkeen, and wheat or barley ears roasted in the Holika fire.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Holika Dahan! May your faith stay as steady as Bhakt Prahlad's.

  • May the holy Holika fire burn away bitterness and worry, and wake new joy in your heart. Happy Holika Dahan.

  • May this festival of good winning over evil bring the light of truth and peace to your home. Greetings on Holika Dahan.

  • Ears of the new harvest, the glow of the fire and loved ones together. Wishing you a happy Holika Dahan and Holi.

  • Just as Prahlad held on to the Lord's name through every hardship, may your faith stay firm too. Jai Shri Hari!

  • Tonight the glow of Holika, tomorrow a shower of colours. Many festive wishes to you and your family.

For your status

  • Good wins over evil. Happy Holika Dahan.

  • Faith like Prahlad's.

  • Holika tonight, Holi tomorrow.

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