Everything about the festival of colors: Holi 2025 Date, Puja Timings(Muhurat), History & Significance Holi is one of the most joyful festivals of India. Every year, this auspicious festival is celebrated with immense excitement and faith to mark the victory of good over evil. In India, the Holi celebration begins a day before actual Holi and it is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan and the main Holi day is known as Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi Holi. Both these days have historical significance that is deep rooted in prolonged Hinduism history and there are several mythological legends linked to it.  In this blog, we will discuss date, puja timing of Holi 2025. Also, we will be sharing the history of Holi, how its celebration started in India, and the rituals that Hindus follow every year to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

Why is Holi Celebrated in India? 

According to Puranas (ancient hindu texts), Holi has been celebrated in India since ages. Thus, over time, there are various legends attached to its beginning and significance.

What is the significance of Holi? Know Story behind Holika Dahan

The most popular urban legend associated with Holi is the story of Prahlada and the demon king (asura king); Hiranyakashipu. So, the legend begins with the delusional intent of Hiranyakashipu, to be considered a god. His youngest son, Prahlada who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu.  When, Hiranyakashipu found out about his son’s devotion to Lord Vishnu. He decided to kill him with the help of his sister, Holika, who had a magical fireproof cloak. She tricked Prahlada into sitting on a pyre with her, but the cloak protected him because of his devotion towards Lord Vishnu, and Holika was burned.  This event symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and since that day, the burning of Holika has been reenacted on the day before Holi as Holika Dahan. The Hindus burn cow dunks, and wood on Holi eve to perform this ritual.

Why is Holi Celebrated with Colors in India?

Holi is well-known globally as the festival of colors. According to another legend, Lord Krishna used to celebrate Holi with colors. A very popular anecdote says that Lord Krishna smeared colors on his gopis in Vrindavan including goddess Radha on the day of Holi. Thus, Hindus reenact this ritual of love and togetherness by throwing or smearing colors on each other.

When is Holi in 2025? Holika Dahan Puja Muhurat and Rituals

Holi happens to fall on the full moon day ( Purnima) of the Phalguna month of Hindu Panchang (lunar calendar). However, according to the English calendar it usually occurs in the month of March. In 2025, Holi will be celebrated on Friday, 14th March in India. The celebration of this auspicious festival begins a day prior to actual Holi day to perform the ritual of Holika Dahan. So, In India, Holika Dahan 2025 will fall on Thursday, 13th March. However, the puja muhurat of Holika Dahan differs every year because of the lunar calendar. Below we have mentioned Holika Dahan 2025 Puja timings, read them to perform rituals accordingly.

Holika Dahan 2025: Puja Timings

Period(Kaal) Date Time(Muhurat)
Bhadra Punchha  13th March 06:57 p.m. to 08:14 p.m.
Bhadra Mukha 13th March 08:14 p.m. to 10:22 p.m. 
Holika Dahan during Pradosh with Bhadra  13-14th March  11:26 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Purnima Tithi Ends  14th March 12:23 p.m.

How is Chhoti Holi and Rangwali Holi (Dhulandi Holi) Celebrated in India?

The festivities of Holi are performed for two days in India. The first day is known as Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan and the second day is called rangwali or Dhulandi holi. Here, we have discussed how joyously and devotedly, the people of India celebrate the festival of color.

Holika Dahan Celebration in India

  • On the day of Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, people make different sizes of hawan (homam) structures from woods, cowdunks, and dry grass/plant leaves. During muhurat, they lit it to reenact the burning of Holika to symbolize the triumph of good over evil.
  • Following this, People offer coconut, wheat, gram, and other food items into the fire as a ritual.
  • Thereafter, the devotees especially women perform parikramas to pray for the well-being of their loved ones.
  • In Indian households, special Holi Sweets such as  gujiya and malpua are prepared and shared.

Rangwali Holi (Dhulandi) Celebration in India

  • People throw colors such as gulal on each other in a playful manner.
  • They greet each other by smearing gulal and haldi on their faces.
  • In Holi, people visit the homes of their relatives to break social barriers and wish them good blessings.
  • In several parts of India, there has been a culture of Holi parties where people dance, smear each other with colors, and water.

Conclusion

Holi 2025 will be a joyful celebration of colors, love, and togetherness. It is a time to forget differences, spread happiness, and welcome the spring season with laughter and cheer. As we celebrate, let’s remember the true spirit of Holi; to spread kindness, unity, and positivity.