The Best Part of Holi Is Colorful Holika Dahan

Dr. Sushil Rudra Steel City Durgapur, 08.03.2023

The Best Part of Holi Is Holika Dahan

 Introduction:The Best Part of Holi Is Colorful Holika Dahan

Holi, the festival of colors that brings joy and enthusiasm to life.This year, people celebrated Holika Dahan on March 7 and Holi played on March 8 today.  

The great Indian festival lasts for a day and night, beginning on Purnima or the full moon day in the month of Phalgun.  

      It is celebrated as Holika Dahan or Chatti Holi on the first evening of the festival and the following day is called Holi. 

    It is known by different names in different parts of the country.

Timing of Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan starts in the evening on the eve of Holi festival. Where people gather around the fire pit to worship and pray to get rid of the evil forces within them, just as Holika, Hiranyakishipur’s sister, sacrificed her life in the fire pit. 

        According to its name, the event is called “Holika Dahan”. According to Hinduism, the festival of Holi is a festival of annihilation of an evil spirit called Holika, where Lord Vishnu kills Holika to save Prahada.

       Through this festival, the victory of auspicious forces and the defeat of evil forces are believed.  So the devotees provide one piece of firewood, Prasad is distributed and Holika Dahan is followed by dance and song.

 It is said that Holika was given a boon by Bramha, which she could use without ever harming anyone, that was, she would not be harmed even if she went into the fire. 

    A king called Hiranyakshipu  wanted to worship only him in his kingdom, but his son Pralhad, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu i.e. Narayana.  That is why he tried to kill his son many times without success.  

  He then ordered his sister Holika to enter the fire with Pralhad. Holika thought that she had a boon as she would not be harmed, but she did not know that her boon would only work when she entered a fire.

      He had a shawl given by Bramha, wearing which nothing could harm him. But Pralhada, as soon as he entered the fire, started praying to Lord Vishnu, and Lord Vishnu saved Prahada and Holika was consumed in the fire.

There is a religious belief about Holika Dahan that if evil forces are dominating the family then with Holika Dahan all these evil forces are destroyed. 

Some Rules to Follow:The Best Part of Holi Is Colorful Holika Dahan

But it is very important to follow some rules during Holika Dahan. 

 Do not wear these colored clothes during Holika Dahan, otherwise you may get the effect of evil energy

Beliefs to Holika Dahan: Do not wear these colored clothes during Holika Dahan, otherwise you may get the effect of evil energy.

 Holika Dahan: Which color clothes are worn during Holika Dahan, the influence of evil energy increases, what astrology says, know from here.

  Donations to be made on Holi festival: The Best Part of Holi Is Colorful Holika Dahan

 Holi, the festival of colors that brings joy and enthusiasm to life.

Pooja to be performed with Holika Dahan rituals.  During puja you should always keep your face towards North or East. 

      These aspects are considered auspicious for Puja. After burning Holika one should donate to the needy according to one’s ability.  The gods were pleased with this.

     Do not wear black and white clothes during Holika Dahan: 

      According to astrology and religious beliefs, black and white clothes should not be worn on the day of Holika Dahan, as these two colored clothes attract negative energy quickly. 

     Also it is not considered good to play Holi in black clothes.

  Remove these things from home: The Best Part of Holi Is Colorful Holika Dahan

      Before Holika Dahan or Holi festival, all intoxicating things should be removed from home.  

             According to astrology, cigarette-alcohol, non-vegetarian things should not be consumed at all.  

   All these things work to increase the negative energy in the human body and because of this Goddess Lakshmi gets angry.

  Among the many festivals, Dol Yatra (or Holi) is first on everyone’s wish list. And just before Dol Yatra, everyone indulges in ‘Nyara Pora’.

 Noapara Nadra Festival :The Best Part of Holi Is Colorful Holika Dahan

Today nadra is burnt, tomorrow we are swinging, the moon has risen on the full moon, say Hari Bol.’  There are very few Bengalis who do not know this funny rhyme. 

  Thirteen Parbans in the twelve months of Bengali. However, among many festivals, Dolyatra or Holi is the first in everyone’s favourite list. 

          And on the day before Dola Yatra, everyone participates in ‘Nyara Pora’ ritual.Many people call Nyara burning ‘old woman’s house’ burning.

Nyara Pora Rituals

 Burning this nadra is the destruction of evil energy. On this day dry branches, wood and dry leaves are collected and piled up and burnt in the evening of Phagun Purnima.  

    This custom has been celebrated with our culture for ages. So after burning the ashes, everyone touches the ashes on the body and forehead.  

   It is believed that evil forces do not overshadow life.  The burning of the nadra symbolises the victory of good over evil.

 Holika Dahan Rituals Outside: You Might Like: The Best Great Color Festival of Hindu Dol/ Holi

 Although outside Bengal this ritual is known as Holika Dahan. Although the purpose and reason are basically the same, there are differences from place to place in the manner of observance. 

    No auspicious work should be done exactly eight days before Holi.  That period is called Holika Dahan.  However, this custom is mainly practised outside North and South India, Nepal or West Bengal.  

       Bengalis have a very similar festival called Nyara Pora. But that was the day before Dol Yatra.The main purpose of this ritual is to celebrate the victory of good energy by defeating any evil energy.

 Holika Dahan Timing this year

 Holika Dahan or Nadra Pora Utsav is actually celebrated in various places for the promise of removing the blackness of the mind and filling life with the brightness of light.

      In the evening on the eve of Dol, the Nadra is burnt. This is the auspicious time of Holika Dahan. Holashtak happens 8 days before Holi.This time Holashtak has started from February 28.

 Holika Dahan Importance: The Magnificent Colors Festival of Hindu Now Turns Universal

 However, Vishnu’s Holika slaying to save Prahlada is celebrated with Holika Dahan. On the day before Holi, an open field or place is decorated with wood and fuel.

  An effigy is placed on it, which is symbolic of Holika.This Holika wanted to trick Prahlad and burn him in fire. 

  Many people paint and decorate their houses during this time. Along with that, various foods, especially sweets like Gujia, Malpoa are arranged. 

   It is believed that all negative energies will be burnt to ashes in this fire.

Happy Holi, Happy Dol Yatra!!