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Holika Dahan, the first day of the 2023 celebration, is observed on the full moon day of Hindu month Falgun. On the next day, festival of colors (also known as Dhulendi, Dhulandi, and Dhuli) is celebrated. Celebration of Holi marks the victory of good over evil.
As per the Hindu Puranas, when Hiranyakashyap (the king of the demons) observed that his son Prahlad worships Lord Vishnu, he got really furious. He ordered his sister Holika to sit in the fire while holding Prahlad in her lap. It is because Holika was blessed that she cannot be burned in the fire. However, things didn?t go as per the plan. Holika got burned into ashes in the fire and nothing happened to the Vishnu devotee Prahlad. In the memory of this event, there is this canon of performing Holika Dahan (burning the bonfire considering Holika). The festival of Holi gives a message that this is how Almighty stays available to protect His devotees.
The description of Holi has been witnessed for a very long time. There is a picture found from the 16th century in the capital of ancient Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi. This image shows the celebration of Holi. Similarly, at Ramgarh, close to Vindhya mountains, a 300 BC old inscription has been found, which holds the description about Holi. Some people believe that on this day, Lord Krishna had killed a demoness named Pootna. Celebrating His victory, Gopis celebrated Holi with him.
A Holika Dahan mantra is chanted while burning a bonfire dedicated to this ceremony. Devotees honour and pray to the spirit of Holika in order to maintain peace and happiness. The prayers are concluded by walking around the bonfire three, five, or seven times along with vessels of water. Then, devotees empty the vessels when the last circuit is complete.
After the Holika Dahan bonfire ritual, tilaks are smeared on the foreheads of devotees. Baked or roasted crops of the season are eaten. Certain devotees also carry some Holika ash to their homes as it is thought to be an auspicious practice.
People on this day also worship Holika as it is believed in Hindu mythology that Holika Puja brings powers of prosperity and wealth to everyone's home. People believe that after doing Holika Puja they can conquer all sorts of fears.
Holika Dehan is a ritual that takes place with a bonfire involved. People generally get around the bonfire with their family and friends as they surrender their offerings to the Goddess.
You can take flowers, doop, agarbatti, akshat, cotton thread, moong daal, sweets or batasha, haldi, kumkum, coconut, gulal, and water for your pooja. Conclude your prayers by circling the bonfire five or seven times. It is ideal to take five or seven rounds, not less.
In Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, Doljatra is celebrated instead of Holi. Essentially it is the same festival as Holi Dahan, but has added emphasis as it is the last festival of the Bengali year.
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