Holika Dahan

Lord Vishnu / Prahlad — the triumph of devotion over arrogance

Hindu

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Holika Dahan — the sacred bonfire lit on the night of Phalguna Purnima, commemorating the burning of Holika and the divine protection of the child-devotee Prahlad. Families gather at dusk, circumambulate the fire, and offer coconut, roasted grains, and til — burning away the year's negativity before the colours of Holi the next morning

Dates 2026–2027

March 3, 2026

Mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya — I bow to Lord Vasudeva, the protector of Prahlad and all sincere devotees

✦ Special Note

Per Drik Panchang. Holika Dahan 2026: Tuesday, March 3 (Phalguna Purnima tithi ends 5:07 PM Mar 3; the dahan is performed that evening). Many observe a fast from sunrise until the Holika puja. Note: due to the lunar eclipse of March 3, 2026, Rangwali Holi is celebrated on March 4 (per Drik Panchang).

Foods Allowed

Fresh fruits and milk (for those observing a day fast until the bonfire)Roasted grains — chana, wheat, and barley (traditionally roasted in the Holika fire)Gujiya, mathri, and festive sweets after the evening pujaThandai (non-bhang) — soaked almond, fennel, melon-seed, rose, milkCoconut and til-gud offerings

Foods to Avoid

Non-vegetarian foodAlcohol and intoxicantsEating before the Holika puja for those keeping the traditional fast until moonrise/bonfire

Meal Idea

Break the day's fast after the Holika bonfire with roasted chana, gujiya, and a glass of saffron thandai

🪔 Aarti

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे । भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे ॥ जो ध्यावे फल पावे, दुःख बिनसे मन का । सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे, कष्ट मिटे तन का ॥ मात-पिता तुम मेरे, शरण गहूं मैं किसकी । तुम बिन और न दूजा, आस करूं मैं जिसकी ॥ तुम पूरन परमात्मा, तुम अंतर्यामी । पारब्रह्म परमेश्वर, तुम सबके स्वामी ॥ तुम करुणा के सागर, तुम पालनकर्ता । मैं सेवक तुम स्वामी, कृपा करो भर्ता ॥ तुम हो एक अगोचर, सबके प्राणपति । किस विधि मिलूं दयामय, तुमको मैं कुमति ॥ दीनबंधु दुःखहर्ता, ठाकुर तुम मेरे । अपने हाथ उठाओ, अपनी शरण में लाओ ॥ विषय विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा । श्रद्धा भक्ति बढ़ाओ, संतन की सेवा ॥

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