Holika Dahan 2025: Avoid Burning During Bhadra, Know the Auspicious Timing and Mythological Significance

Krishi Dunia

12 Mar, 2025 01:30 PM IST ,
Updated Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:45 PM

This year, the Phalguna Purnima will begin on March 13, 2025, at 10:35 AM, and end on March 14, 2025, at 12:24 PM. However, on Chhoti Holi, the influence of Bhadra will last throughout the day. Therefore, Holika Dahan can only be performed after 11:26 PM, once Bhadra ends.

Holika Dahan Date and Auspicious Timing:

Phalguna Purnima Begins: March 13, 2025, at 10:35 AM
Phalguna Purnima Ends: March 14, 2025, at 12:24 PM
Bhadra Ends: March 13, 2025, at 11:26 PM
Auspicious Time for Holika Dahan: After 11:26 PM on March 13

According to astrology, Bhadra's influence will remain throughout the day, making the night the only suitable time for Holika Dahan this year.

Mythological Story Behind Holika Dahan:

Holika Dahan represents the conquest of good over evil. Hindu scriptures narrate the tale of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king who desired immortality. He performed intense penance and obtained a unique boon from Lord Brahma, ensuring that:

He could not be slain by either human or animal.
His death would not occur during the day or night.
His death would not occur on land, in water, or in the sky.
No weapon could harm him.
No god, demon, or any other creature could kill him.

This invincibility made Hiranyakashipu arrogant and ruthless. He prohibited the worship of Lord Vishnu in his kingdom. However, his own son Prahlad was a devoted follower of Vishnu and refused to obey his father's commands.

Angered by this defiance, Hiranyakashipu tried multiple times to kill Prahlad, but each attempt failed. Finally, his sister Holika, who had a boon that made her immune to fire, plotted to burn Prahlad by sitting with him in a blazing pyre. However, due to Lord Vishnu's divine protection, Prahlad remained unharmed, while Holika was reduced to ashes.

Since then, Holika Dahan is celebrated as a festival marking the destruction of evil and the triumph of righteousness.

Significance and Rituals of Holika Dahan:

Holika is prepared using wooden logs, dried grass, and cow dung cakes.
Worship materials such as sacred thread (mouli), coconut, vermillion, rice, turmeric, holy water (Gangajal), and flowers are offered during the ritual.
People perform parikrama (circumambulation) around the fire, symbolizing the burning away of negativity.
The sacred ash (vibhuti) from the Holika fire is applied to the forehead, believed to ward off negative energies.

Social Message of Holika Dahan:

Holika Dahan is not just a religious ritual; it carries a profound moral lesson. It reminds us that arrogance, injustice, and unrighteousness will always be defeated, no matter how powerful they appear.

This Holi, let’s burn away negativity and embrace truth, positivity, and righteousness.

Wishing everyone a joyous Holika Dahan and a Happy Holi!