Holi

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Festival of colors celebrating the victory of good over evil, marking the arrival of spring. Holika Dahan is observed the night before with a bonfire commemorating the burning of demoness Holika. People play with colors, water, and sweets the next day.

1. 1

   Building the Holika Pyre

   Days before Holika Dahan, a communal pyre is built at a central location — wood, dry grass, and dung cakes stacked around a central wooden pole representing Holika. The pole is decorated with cow-dung garlands and a small effigy of Holika.

2. 2

   Sankalp

   At the puja time (Pradosh Kaal — the evening window avoiding Bhadra), gather around the pyre. Take Sankalp — dedicating the ritual to the victory of good over evil, the protection of devotees like Prahlada, and the burning of all negativity from your life.

   ॐ अद्य फाल्गुन पूर्णिमायां होलिका दहनम् करिष्ये।

3. 3

   Ganesha Puja

   Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva and red flowers before beginning the main ritual.

   ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥

4. 4

   Holika Avahana

   Invoke the presence of Holika and Prahlada into the pyre by chanting the Holika Dahan mantra. Offer chandan, kumkum, akshat, and flowers at the base of the pyre.

   असृक्पाभय संत्रस्तैः कृता त्वं होलि बालिशैः। अतस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूते भूतिप्रदा भव॥

5. 5

   Parikrama (Circumambulation)

   Walk around the pyre seven times holding a long moli thread — with each round wrap the thread once around the pyre. Offer wheat stalks, popcorn, chickpeas, and sugar to the pyre with each round. Pray for protection and purification.

6. 6

   Offerings

   Offer panchamrit, Gangajal, coconut, jaggery, and sweets to the Holika pyre. Some traditions symbolically offer old unwanted items or written lists of negative habits to the fire — meant to be burnt with Holika.

7. 7

   Narasimha Stuti and Prahlada Katha

   Recite the story of Prahlada, Hiranyakashipu, and Holika — Prahlada's devotion to Vishnu and how Holika's fire-proof shawl flew to him instead, saving him and burning the demoness. Recite the Narasimha Stotra to honour Vishnu's protection of his devotee.

   ॐ नमो भगवते नारसिंहाय नमस्तेजस्तेजसे आविराविर्भव॥

8. 8

   Lighting the Pyre

   At the exact muhurat moment, the eldest male of the community lights the pyre. As the flames rise, chant 'Hiranyakashipu ki naash ho, Prahlada ki raksha ho' — 'may evil perish and devotion be protected'. Ring bells and blow conches.

9. 9

   Aarti and Ash Collection

   Perform the Holika Aarti with camphor around the burning pyre. After the flames subside, devotees collect some ash (bhasma) from the bonfire — it is considered highly auspicious for removing negativity and applied on the forehead for blessings.

10. 10

    Dhulandi (Next Day — Rangwali Holi)

    The next day is Rangwali Holi — the festival of colours. Before playing with colour, apply a tilak of Holika ash to family members. Then celebrate with gulal, water, sweets (especially gujiya), and traditional thandai. Distribute sweets as prasad to neighbours.

This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.