Regarding Holika Dahan in 2024, two opinions are going to be prevalent this year regarding time. According to one opinion, Holika Dahan on 6 March 2024 and Holika Dahan on 7 March Pradosh Kaal will prevail on Falgun Purnima on 6th March. On 7th March it is not touching Pradosh in North India at all. Pradosh Kaal will be from around 18:25 to 20:55 on 6th March 2024. It will be spread from Bhadra and will go far beyond Bhadra Nishith and will end by 05:14 am the next day. On the next these full moons, on 7 March 2024, the full moon is spread for more than three and a half hours. But because the value of Pratipada date is less than the total value of full moon, Holika Dahan can be done during Pradosh Kaal without considering Bhadra Mukha Bhadra Puchh on 6th March in Pradosh Vaidani Purnima.

According to other views, where the sunset will be before 18:10 in the North-Eastern regions of India, Holika Dahan will be in Pradosh on 7th March 2024. At this time, the full moon will be touching here after 18:10 on Pradosh Kaal and there will also be a lack of Bhadra. Thus, this year two opinions are going to prevail regarding Holika Dahan.

Leaving the home of Bhadra and worshipping Holi in Nisha Mukh is considered fruitful. As per the astrology also, celebrating festivals in their auspicious Muhurta, turns out to be good and prosperous. In Hinduism, there are various beliefs, custom and traditions. Although, as the time changed, idea and conceptions of people also changed. Their way of thinking and understanding also changed. But still, the culture has not changed

Today’s generation raises a number of doubts regrading old rituals. But in India’s religious atmosphere, rarely there might be any festival of a year which people don’t celebrate magnificently according to their customs.

Things to Cast into the Holi fire

The things to be cast in Holika include raw mango, coconut or Saptdhanay, toys made of sugar, some part of new crops. Wheat, Urad, Moong, gram, barley, rice and lentils are called the Sapthdhanay.

Method of Holi Pujan

Before Holika Dahan, Holi Pujan is being done. While doing this Puja, the person should sit near Holika facing in the east or north direction. The following materials should be used in Puja:

1. One bowl of water, beads, Roli, rice, smell, flower, raw thread, turmeric, Moong, Batasha, Gulal , coconut etc. should be used. In addition, Dhan of new crop like fully grown wheat and grains earrings are also used in it.


2. After this shield and other toys made of cow dung are kept near Holika.


3. At the auspicious time of Holika Dahan, using water, beads, flowers, Gulal and jaggery, Holika is worshipped. Four beads of shield and toys made of cow dung are brought home and kept safe. One in name of ancestors, second in name of Hanuman God, Third in name of Goddess Shitala, fourth in name of family.


4. Raw yarn is wrap around the Holika, moving in three or seven circles. Then the water of bowl and other material of Puja are dedicated to the Holika. In Puja we also use Roli and flowers. Using fragrant flowers, Holika Pujan is done by Panchopchar method. Water is used as offering after Poojan.


5. After the sunset in Pradosh Kaal, the Holika is set on fire. As soon as the fire is lit up, the pole is taken out. From the public Holika fire is taken and brought to burn the Holika at home. At the end, all men wear auspicious mark of Roli, women sing songs and blessings are taken from elders.


6. It is believed that intake of baked crop keeps you away from disease.


7. It is believed that bringing left over fire and ash next day to home, helps to protect from inauspicious power. Also, this ash is applied on body.

Mantra to be Chanted for Prosperity at the Time of Applying Ash to the body,

वंदितासि सुरेन्द्रेण ब्रम्हणा शंकरेण च ।
अतस्त्वं पाहि माँ देवी! भूति भूतिप्रदा भव ॥

Chant the Following Mantra during Holika Pujan

अहकूटा भयत्रस्तैः कृता त्वं होलि बालिशैः
अतस्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूति-भूति प्रदायिनीम्‌

The mantra should be recited for three or five(odd number) rounds of rosary.

Holika Dahan is done After Holi Pujan

As duly after the Holika Pujan, Holika Dahan is being performed. Holika Dahan is always done after the Bhadra time. So, you should have an idea of Bhadra at the time of combustion. It is believed that Holika Dahan done at the time of Bhadra can increase the chances of accidents in that region.

Also, Holika Dahan is not done in Chaturdashi Tithi, Pratipda. In addition to this, Holika Dahan should not be done before sunset. While doing Holika Dahan, it’s considered good to perform the task in the auspicious time declared for it.

Holika Dahan in the Modern Times

In today’s era, considering the importance of trees, instead of wood the mutual incivility is being tried to be burnt. So that, we all can come together and work for the nation’s development and upliftment. Today it is believed that instead of burning tree, they should be brought up in their natural form. In this way, the earth facing air pollution and lack of trees can be saved. Human race can be saved only by saving nature. We should never forget this fact.

Wish you all a Happy Holi....