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क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
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क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
Phalguna • Shukla Paksha • Purnima (Holika Dahan) + Pratipada (Rangwali Holi)
The festival of colours — celebrating the burning of evil (Holika), the love of Radha-Krishna, and the arrival of spring.
Date for this festival is not yet available. Please check back later.
Holi is a two-day festival: Purnima night (Holika Dahan — burning the bonfire that represents inner negativity) and the next day (Rangwali Holi — the joyous colour play). Spiritually, it teaches that devotion (Prahlada) prevails over arrogance (Hiranyakashipu), and that all distinctions of caste, age and status dissolve when everyone wears the same coloured powder. Agriculturally, it marks the end of winter and the wheat harvest.
Holi commemorates the burning of Holika, the demoness sister of King Hiranyakashipu. The king demanded universal worship, but his son Prahlada remained devoted to Vishnu. Holika, blessed with immunity to fire, sat with Prahlada in a pyre — but her boon failed and she perished, while Prahlada emerged unharmed protected by Vishnu's grace. Vishnu later took the Narasimha avatar and slew Hiranyakashipu. The next day, Krishna's playful colour-throwing with Radha and the gopis in Vrindavan gave us Rangwali Holi — the festival of colours we celebrate today.
Presiding Deity:Vishnu (Narasimha), Krishna
Days before: collect dried twigs, cow-dung cakes, and old wood for the Holika pyre at the village/colony chowk.
Holika Dahan night: light the bonfire during the prescribed Bhadra-free muhurat. Offer coconut, raw turmeric, harvested wheat ears, and circumambulate 3-7 times.
Take ash from the Holika fire the next morning — apply to forehead and store at home; believed to ward off negative energy for the year.
Rangwali Holi morning: play with gulal (dry colour) and water — natural, herbal colours preferred. Avoid eyes and mouth.
Prepare and share traditional sweets — gujiya, malpua, dahi-vada, thandai (with or without bhang per regional custom).
Visit elders to seek blessings, then friends and neighbours — Holi is the day to mend broken relationships.
Sing traditional Holi songs and chaupais. In Mathura-Vrindavan-Barsana, Lathmar Holi and Phulon ki Holi are special.
When is Holi in 2026?
Holika Dahan in 2026 is on TBA (Phalguna Purnima evening), and Rangwali Holi (the colour play) is the following day. Always confirm the Bhadra-free muhurat for Holika Dahan.
Why is Bhadra avoided for Holika Dahan?
Bhadra is considered an inauspicious half-tithi (Vishti Karana) ruled by Shani's sister, associated with destruction and misfortune. Lighting the Holika fire during Bhadra is believed to bring calamity to the community for the year. Hence the strict rule.
Are herbal colours really safer than synthetic ones?
Yes — synthetic colours often contain lead, copper sulphate, mercury and asbestos which cause skin allergies, eye damage and respiratory issues. Traditional colours from haldi (yellow), beetroot (pink), tesu/palash flowers (orange) and mehndi (green) are safe and biodegradable.
Can I play Holi during pregnancy?
Light play with herbal colours is fine, but avoid crowded areas (jostling risk), strong chemical colours, water that could cause slipping, and bhang/thandai. Consult your doctor for personalised advice.
Why is Holi called the festival of love?
Krishna once complained to mother Yashoda that fair Radha would never accept his dark complexion. Yashoda playfully suggested he colour Radha's face — and from this Krishna-Radha leela in Barsana came the tradition of colouring loved ones, dissolving all barriers of appearance.
Krishna Janmashtami
The midnight birth of Lord Krishna in the prison of Mathura — celebrated with bhajan, dahi-handi and Nishita puja.
Ram Navami
The midday birth of Lord Rama in Ayodhya — the supreme avatar of dharma, the Maryada Purushottama.
Akshaya Tritiya
The day whose virtue never diminishes — most auspicious for new beginnings, gold purchase, and charity.
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This page updates automatically every year.