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Holi, the festival of colors, holds significance as the grandest festival of colors celebrated in the month of Phalgun. In this two-day festival, the ritual of Holika Dahan takes place on the first day, after which Holi is played with colors on the second day. Both these days have their own importance. However, every year there is often confusion regarding the exact date of Holi. Let us know whether Holi will be celebrated on 24th March or 25th March.
According to Panchang (Hindu calendar), the full moon of Phalgun month will start at 9:54 am on March 24 and end at 12:29 pm the next day. Therefore Holika Dahan will be done on Sunday 24th March. The auspicious time of Holika Dahan is from 11:13 am to 12:27 pm. That means Holika Dahan can be done for 1 hour 14 minutes.
Holika Dahan will be celebrated on 24th March. Playing Holi with colors, known as Rangwali Dhulivandan, can take place on March 25. Holi is celebrated with colors all over the country. On this day even strangers become our own and even enemies embrace each other and wish Happy Holi.
Holika Dahan Puja:
Preparations for Holika Dahan start a week in advance, wood, sticks and twigs are collected on the roadside or in open spaces. On the day of Holika Dahan, a pyre is made from these materials and it is set on fire as a symbol of Holika Dahan. The idols of Holika and Prahlad are made from cow dung and the puja includes rice, flowers, cotton, flower garlands, turmeric, moong dal, gulal, coconut and sweets made from various grains. The puja also includes circumambulation of Holika before lighting the pyre.
PC: The Statesman
Importance of Holi:
This tradition is based on the mythological story of Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, whom Hiranyakashyap's sister Holika wanted to burn alive. However, Holika got burnt and Prahlad came out safely, symbolizing the victory of devotion. Since then the tradition of Holika Dahan has been going on and Holi is celebrated the next day, which is also called Dhulivandan.