The month of Chaitra marks the start of the Hindu calendar. Holi, the festival of colours, is how Hindus celebrate the arrival of the new year. Holi is the festival of colours and is enjoyed by all of India, exchanging colourful abir and gulal with one another. The day prior to the colourful festivities is marked by Holika Dahan. It commemorates the burning of the evil Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, who tried to burn her nephew Prahlad in a bonfire as she believed she had immunity from fire. She was the one who was immolated, while Prahlad survived as Lord Vishnu intervened.
This year’s Holika Dahan is scheduled for March 24. Selecting the ideal timing for Holika Dahan is crucial. This year’s Holika Dahan, according to astrologer Pandit Manohar Acharya, will take place on March 24 at night. Astrologer Pandit Manohar Acharya explains that the right time for performing Holika Dahan will start after 10:35 pm on March 24. On March 24, Bhadra Kaal will start from morning to 10:35 PM. It is prohibited to perform any kind of auspicious work or even worship god during the Bhadra Kaal period. That is why the Holika Dahan should be done only after 10:35 PM.
Pandit Acharya also said that from 3 AM, the Brahma Mahurat starts which is also not a good time to carry out any auspicious work. This is why the Holika Dahan needs to be completed before 3 am.
What to do and what not to do on the day of Holika Dahan?
Do not lend money to anyone on the day of Holika Dahan, because it is not considered auspicious.
Do not wear yellow or white coloured clothes while performing Holika Dahan.
Women should not leave their hair open on the evening of Holika Dahan or while performing puja.
Negative forces prevail on this day. Do not touch any object lying on the road on the night of Holika Dahan.
Newly married women should not watch the fire of Holika Dahan burning.
At the time of Holika Dahan, one should pray to God to burn the evil within oneself.
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