Holika Dahan 2017 Date: An Eve of Bonfire

In 2017 Holika Dahan will be celebrated in the evening of 12th of March. Holi Dahan is the ritual which plays a significant role in the celebration of Holi festival. It is the folklore of the Holi festival that illustrates the death of Holika and the supernatural evacuation of Prahlad from fire. According to the Hindu scriptures the ritual of Holika Dahan is also called as Holika Deepak as well as Chhoti Holi which is to be performed during Pradosh Kaal that starts after the sunset and while the Purnamasi Tithi is prevalent. There is also a famous belief that burning the waste of massage by the “Sarson Ubtan” in the Holika fire burns every kind of body problems and the person gets blessed by the Holika Mata with good health.

The Mythological Episode Of Holika & Prahalad

As per our legends, the story of Prahlad and Holika is the reason behind the tradition of Holika Dahan. According to the story, there was a powerful king named ‘Hiranyakashipu’. He used to force the people of his kingdom to consider him as their god. However, his own son Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu . The king was very annoyed by this. As a result, he requested his sister, Holika to help him in killing Prahlad. Holika had a boon that she can’t ever get affected by the fire; hence, she entered into the burning fire with Prahlad on her lap. But, with Lord Vishnu’s grace, Holika was burnt to death, while Prahlad was saved. In this way, Holika paid for her evil desire. Since then, people celebrate Holika Dahan with a belief that good always gains victory over bad.

How To Conduct Holika Dahan?

Preparations for Holika Dahan begin 40 days prior to the festival. People start accumulating woods and other materials needed for the bonfire. An auspicious time is confirmed and selected for carrying out the ritual. Here are the steps to be followed to perform Holika Dahan in the right way:

1. As the preparations are commenced from before; therefore, a log of wood is kept at the chosen place on the day of Basant Panchami.
2. To extend the log centre, wooden sticks, dried leaves, twigs, etc. are kept.
3. Over the heap of woods, effigies (idol) of Holika (prepared from combustible materials) and Prahlad (prepared from non-combustible materials) are placed.
4. The heap is set on fire, while chanting Mantras to ward off the evil spirits.
5. On the next morning, the leftover ashes are collected. These ashes (known as Holi Prasad) are smeared by the people on their body on your body.

Significance Of Holika Dahan

It is believed that performing Holika Dahan Puja blesses with:

• Health, wealth and pure soul
• Holy fire of Holika Dahan burns away all the negativity, evil spirits and dispels darkness

This was all about Holika Dahan. Burn all the negativity around you, along with the celebrations of this significant festival.

AstroCAMP wishes you a all a BLESSED HOLIKA DAHAN 2017!