Holika Dahan 2025: The Chotti Holi ritual began across India on March 13, and will continue till past midnight on March 14. Holika Dahan signifies the victory of good over evil. Holika Dahan takes place the night before the full-fledged festival of colour, Holi. Check out all the key details of Holika Dahan here!

Holika Dahan 2025: Date and Time

Holika Dahan will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The muhurta for holika dahan will begin from 11:26 pm to 12.31 am of March 14.

On March 13, from 06:57 PM to 08:14 PM will be Bhadra Punchha, while from 08:14 PM to 10:22 PM will be Bhadra Mukha, followed by the beginning of Purnima Tithi at 10:35 AM. The Purnima Tithi will end at 12:23 PM on March 14, 2025. The rangwali holiday will be celebrated on March 14 as well.

Significance of Holika Dahan:

The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India, East India, Assam, Nepal, and parts of South India in keeping with this tradition. In some parts of North India, the day is called Holika Dahan. In other parts like Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar) as well as Terai regions of Nepal it is called Sammat Jaarna. In West Bengal, the day before Dolyatra is called ‘Chanchor’ or ‘Nyara Pora’ in which dry branches, twigs and leaves of the trees are heaped together and set on fire to commemorate Holika Dahan, as per Wikipedia.

Ritual Of Holika Dahan:

Holika Dahan in Sanskrit is called as Holika Dahanam meaning ‘Burning of Holika’ or simply called as Chotti Holi.

This is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by lightening up a bonfire among loved ones, families, and societies, which indicates the burning of the demoness, Holika. It symbolises victory over evil and usually comes around the spring season.

As per the legends, holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, who acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She then attempted to kill her nephew, Prahlada, by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. However, she was immolated while Prahlada was saved from the fire, as per Wikipedia.

According to Hindu scriptures, Prahlada is an asura king who was devoted to Vishnu. He is referenced in the narrative of Narasimha, which is the lion avatar of Vishnu. When his paternal aunt Holika decided to burn him, Vishnu took the avatar of Narasimha to rescue Prahlada and killed his father Hiranyakashipu. In simple words, Prahlada is popular for his great devotion to Vishnu, which he expressed from young age.