Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan

Holika bonfire in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Type Hindu festival
Celebrations The night before Holika Bonfire
On Holi: spray colors on others, dance, party; eat festival delicacies
Begins Phalgun Purnima or Pooranmashi (Full Moon)
Date February–March
Related to Holi
Holi bonfire on Holi eve in Delhi, 2012

Holika Dahan also Kamudu pyre is celebrated by burning Holika, the devil. For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi celebrates the death of Holika in order to save Prahlad, and thus Holi gets its name. In olden days, people use to contribute a piece of wood or two for Holika bonfire.

Significance

Woman preparing for Holika Dahan, Kathamandu, Nepal

The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India, Nepal and parts of South India in keeping with this tradition.[1] The youth playfully steal all sorts of things and put them in Holika pyre.

It should also be noted that in some parts of India the day is actually called Holika . There are other activities associated with the story of Prahlad, but the burning of Holika is the one that we can most directly associate with Holi. Fire burnt on the eve of Holi (Holika Dahan) symbolizes the burning of Holika. The story as a whole is testament to the power of devotion (bhakta) over the evil represented by King Hiranyakashyapu, as Prahlad never lost his faith.

The Ritual

Holi festival bonfire at Mundra, 2015
Prepare Holika pyre for bonfire

Days before the festival people start gathering wood and combustible materials for the bonfire in parks, community centers, near temples and other open spaces. On top of the pyre is an effigy to signify Holika who tricked Prahalad into the fire. Inside homes, people stock up on color pigments, food, party drinks and festive seasonal foods such as gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other regional delicacies.

Holika dahan

On the eve of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire. People also perform parikrama of fire.

The next day people play Holi, the popular festival of colors.

Reason for Holika burning

The burning of Holika is the most common mythological explanation for the celebration of Holi. In different parts of India varying reasons are given for Holika's death. Among those are:

References

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