About Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is observed on the evening of Phalguna Purnima, the eve of the festival of colours. Communities build a pyre of wood and dried cow-dung cakes at a crossroads or open ground in the days before, and on the chosen muhurat it is lit with prayers. Families often time the ritual to avoid Bhadra, a period traditionally considered unsuitable for auspicious work.
The festival draws on the story of Prahlad told in the Bhagavata Purana. Prahlad remained a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu despite the anger of his father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Holika, the king's sister, was believed to be protected from fire, and she sat in the flames with the young Prahlad on her lap. By divine grace, Prahlad emerged unharmed while Holika was consumed. The bonfire therefore stands for faith, protection and the burning away of negativity. It also has an agricultural side, as people roast fresh ears of wheat and barley in the fire, giving thanks for the new harvest.
How it is observed
- Worshipping the Holika pyre with roli, rice, flowers and raw cotton thread
- Walking around the fire in parikrama while offering prayers
- Offering coconut, new wheat or barley ears and gram into the flames
- Taking a little sacred ash home as a blessing, in some families
- Gathering with neighbours and preparing for the next day's Holi
Holika Dahan dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday, 24 March 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Thursday, 13 March 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Tuesday, 3 March 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Sunday, 21 March 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Friday, 10 March 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Wednesday, 28 February 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 19 March 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Delhi Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Punjab Chandigarh Uttarakhand Madhya Pradesh Bihar Gujarat Maharashtra West Bengal Odisha Assam
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi
Holika Dahan
A bonfire is lit after sunset, people circle it with offerings of new wheat or barley, and remember Prahlad's faith triumphing over Holika.
West Bengal, Odisha
Dol Purnima
On this full moon, Radha and Krishna are carried on decorated palanquins and smeared with abir. In Bengal a small bonfire called Nyara Pora or Chanchar is lit on the eve.
Maharashtra
Holi
Families light the Holi fire, offer puran poli to it, and the colour play follows the next day, with Rang Panchami played a few days later.
Goa, coastal Konkan
Shigmo
The fire night is part of Shigmo, the spring festival of Goa, with folk dances, drums and village processions.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Kama Dahana, Kamuni Punnami
In parts of the South the bonfire recalls Shiva burning Kamadeva, the god of love, and is known as Kama Dahana or Kamuni Punnami.
Also called Chhoti Holi in many places; in parts of South India the day is linked with Kama Dahanam.
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