Holika Dahan 2028होलिका दहन

Hindu date: Phalguna Purnima.

The fire is lit in Pradosh Kaal on Purnima, outside Bhadra. If Bhadra covers that evening, Holika Dahan moves to the next evening only when Purnima lasts most of that day (3½ prahars); otherwise it is lit late the same night once Bhadra ends.

Dates are calculated for New Delhi. In other cities, and especially outside India, the tithi changes at a different local time, so a festival can fall a day earlier or later. Month names follow the Purnimanta calendar used in North India, where a month ends on Purnima. How we calculate

King Hiranyakashipu wanted to be worshipped as god, but his son Prahlad worshipped only Vishnu. After many attempts on the boy's life, the king's sister Holika, who could not be harmed by fire, sat in a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. The fire burned Holika and left Prahlad untouched.

The bonfire is lit after an evening puja of the pyre. People circle it winding raw cotton thread, offer coconut and new wheat or barley ears, and take home a little of the roasted grain.