how to do holika dahan puja holika dahan puja vidhi Holi, the festival of colours and joy, is just around the corner. One of the important rituals associated with Holi is Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, which will be celebrated on March 24, 2024, a night before Rangwali Holi. Holika Dahan marks the beginning of the Holi festivities. It signifies the victory of good over evil and the burning of all negativities. According to Hindu mythology, the demon king Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika, had a boon that prevented her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashipu asked Holika to sit on fire with his son Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, in order to kill him. However, due to Prahlad’s devotion, he emerged unharmed while Holika was burnt to ashes. Thus, Holika Dahan symbolises the triumph of truth and faith over evil intentions. Read on to learn more about the puja vidhi, muhurat, and significance of celebrating Choti Holi puja 2024.

Holika Dahan 2024 Muhurat and Date

In 2024, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on: Date: Sunday, March 24, 2023 Holika Puja Time: 11:13 PM to 12:27 AM (Night between March 24 to March 25) The auspicious timings suggest that the puja should be performed late evening on March 24. The best window will be the night between March 24 and the early hours of March 25 to light the Holika. Purnima Tithi Begins – 09:54 AM on March 24 Purnima Tithi Ends – 12:29 PM on March 25

How To Do Holika Dahan Puja: Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi

Just a day before the Phalgun Poornima, people start preparing for Holika Puja, which is performed in the evening during an auspicious time.

Holika Sthapana

People collect wood to prepare bonfires in their colonies, mostly nearby temples. Other combustible materials are added, such as dry leaves and twigs. Many devotees also place symbolic structures of Prahlad and Holika made of cow dung on the top of the wood heaps.

Holika Puja Thali

In Northern India, most married women keep a fast until the evening of Holika Puja. They bathe in the noon and then prepare their puja thali, which includes roli, chawal, haldi, 5 uple made from cow dung (tied together), moli (red coloured sacred thread) and jau.

Holika Dahan

At the appropriate Holika Puja Time and Muhurat in the evening, the heap of wood is set on fire, burning Holika to remember the triumph of good over evil. Women perform the Puja by making offerings to the Holika fire for the welfare of their families. Some people roast jau in the Holika fire and bring the roasted jau to their homes. Doing so is said to put all negative energies and illnesses to an end. People dance and sing around the bonfire. Youngsters and kids enjoy the evening the most!

Significance of Holika Dahan

In Hindu mythology, Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon that made him virtually undefeatable. Intoxicated by power, he demanded his son worship him like God. However, his son Prahlad refused, being an intense Lord Vishnu devotee. Angry about his son disobeying him, Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika, who had immunity from fire, to sit in a fire with Prahlad on her lap so that he would burn to death. However, Holika was eventually burnt while Prahlad came out safely. Thus, Holika Dahan highlights the victory of good over evil. Burning Holika marks how devotion to God and spirituality can overcome worldly desires, evil powers, jealousy, hatred, and ego. The rituals remind devotees that honest intentions and pure devotion always win. Holika Dahan also marks the end of winter and the beginning of warmer days as part of spring festivities. People offer their prayers to God for good health, prosperity, plentiful crops, and happiness.

Safety Measures While Performing Holi Puja 2024

Here are some points to remember before lighting the Holika bonfire:
  • Check for dry twigs, leaves, or wood pieces around the pyre and clear them.
  • Make sure children and elders are at a safe distance from the pyre.
  • Keep buckets of water and sand near the bonfire to dampen the fire if required.
  • Stay attentive while performing the rituals.
  • Avoid wearing synthetic or loose clothes near the Holika that can catch fire easily.

Celebrations Post Holika Dahan

The next morning brings vibrant colours, sweets, dance, and music as part of Rangwali Holi festivities. People put colourful gulal on each other, enjoy gujiyas, and celebrate the festival with friends and family. Traditional folk songs and dances like Raslila add enthusiasm to the festivities. It is also a good time to fix broken relationships and make new beginnings by forgiving each other.

Conclusion

Holika Dahan reminds us of the eternal battle between good and evil. As we prepare to burn Holika again and usher in Holi, we hope the festival infuses our lives with renewed positivity, good health, and prosperity. And if you are looking for some personalised pooja vidhi for Holi Puja 2024 according to your situation or astrological aspects, Pt Pawan Kaushik, the best Jyotish in India, is here to help. He has 30+ years of experience in giving the best astrological advice to his clients. Book a consultation today to get a personalised solution from the best astrologer in Delhi. Contact us at: +91 9990176000