Holika Dahan Story- Know the Ritual Celebrated Before Holi Festival

Hey folks, are you waiting eagerly for Holi festival to come? Do you know a day before Holi is celebrated, Holika Dahan?

Yes, Holika Dahan. It’s been coined from two words ‘Holika’- the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu, and ‘Dahan’ that means burning. The burning of Holika. It reminds us all the victory of good over evil.

Holika Dahan 2021 Date and Time

Do you know when is Kamudu pyre or Holika Dahan? Well, in 2021, it is going to be celebrated on Thursday 29th March. The muhurta of the same is as follows:

Holika Dahan Muhurta = 18:37 to 20:56 (Evening)

The above time and date are as per Indian standard time. Those living in the USA and other parts of the world need to adjust the time according to their locality.

What’s the Story behind Holika Dahan?

We all are familiar with this age-long tradition. But do you know the exact story behind this ritual? If not, here we have come to your rescue.

The Holika Dahan story is as follows:

There lived a demon king Hiranyakashipu. He was against the Gods and their worship. He had received a special boon from Lord Brahma that no human or animal would kill him, neither by any weapon nor by any ammunition, neither in the sky nor in the underworld, neither at day nor a night.

This boon made him arrogant. He started torturing and killing sage, saints, and humans who worshipped Gods. He even banned God adulation and forced people to worship him.

Hiranyakashipu had a son- Prahlada, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. When Hiranyakashipu learned about his son’s devotion to Vishnu whom he considered his greatest enemy, he tried out many ways to deviate Prahlada. But he couldn’t succeed.

At last, he asked his sister Holika to burn him alive. Holika had a benediction that no fire would ever burn her.

She sat on a burning pyre with Prahlada in her lap. However, the things didn’t work in her favour. The flames of fire burnt her to the ashes while Prahlada came out of fire unharmed. The power of devotion saved him.

This is why we celebrate Holika Dahan to mark the victory of good over evil.

Custom of Holika Dahan

As per holy scriptures of Vedas, a day before rango wali Holi is celebrated Holika Dahan. The sanctified fire was burnt with holy mantras to shoo away evil spirits. The sole motto of this fire was to annihilate demonic spirits and forces.

According to different books, there is a different story of Holika Dahan. It is believed that the word ‘Holi’ or ‘Holika’ came from the Sanskrit word ‘Holka’. It stands for grains. Back in time, dried grains were used in yagnas or hawans.

Those who participated in the hawan smeared the sacred ash of burnt grains. It is believed to ward off evil spirit. Till date, we follow this ritual and offer food grains to holi bonfire.

All in all, Holika Dahan gives us a message of defeating evil by good deeds.

So, how are you going to celebrate Holika Dahan in your locality?