Holi 2023: An ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, it also marks the beginning of spring or the harvest season. This year Holi (Rang Panchami) will be celebrated on 8 March 2023 (Wednesday). On the other hand, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 7, 2023.
Holika Dahan 2023: Auspicious Muhurt (timing)
Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan is falling on March 7, 2023. The Muhurta for Holika Dahan will start at 06:24 PM and end at 08:51 PM on March 7.
Bhadra Punchha – 12:43 am to 02:01 am
Bhadra Mukha – 02:01 to 04:11
(According to Drik Panchang)
Holika Dahan 2023: Who is Holika?
The demoness Holika was the aunt of Prahlad and the sister of King Hiranyakashipu. The pyre is lit the night before Holi as a representation of Holika Dahan. People dance and sing around the fire. Holi, the popular festival of colours, is celebrated the next day.
Holika is believed to have been created to eliminate all fear. She could bestow wealth, power and prosperity on her followers as she was a symbol of such things. That’s why Holika is worshiped along with Prahlad before Holika Dahan.
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Holika Dahan story
The Bhagavata Purana states that King Hiranyakashipu became wicked and arrogant and disregarded the prayers of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu. Due to a vow (boon) given to him, he was prohibited from killing any person or animal, by day or night, with any kind of weapon, inside or outside his house. As a result he became even more ostentatious and insisted that the people of his kingdom pray exclusively to him.
But his younger son Prahlad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu whom he also referred to as Lord Narayana, found this unacceptable and it enraged him. When Hiranyakashipu saw his son praying to the Lord, his anger knew no bounds, and he made several attempts to kill him.
Finally, after several failed attempts, he asked his sister Holika to accompany Prahlad into the blazing forest fire. Hiranyakashipu knew that his sister had a boon which enabled her to escape the fire safely.
Holika sat in the midst of the flames with Prahlad in her lap. Prahlad kept chanting the name of Lord Narayana during this time, pleading with him to save him, and ironically Holika perished while he lived.
Hiranyakashipu, the demon king was later killed by Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Thus, Holika, who symbolizes that good always triumphs over evil, lends its name to the festival of Holi.
In other words, it is clear from the old Hindu texts that the purpose of Holika was to remove all fear. She can bestow those blessings on her followers as she is a symbol of power, wealth and success. Consequently, Holika and Prahlad are worshiped before the Holika Dahan Holika ritual.
(Disclaimer: This article is based on general information and general beliefs. Zee News does not endorse or confirm the same.)