Holika Dahan 2022: The festival of Holi is celebrated with great pomp in Hinduism. With the arrival of spring, the wait for Holi begins. There is a tradition of Holika Dahan on the full moon day of Falgun Shukla Paksha. It is considered a symbol of good over evil. The wood is collected a few days before Holika Dahan. Then after worshiping with full rituals, Holika Dahan is done.

This year in 2022, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on Thursday, March 17. Then the next day on March 18, Holi will be celebrated. On the other hand, Holashtak takes place 8 days before Holi. This time Holashtak is being observed from 10th March itself. Holashtak is a time when no auspicious work is done. After this Holika Dahan will take place.

Read more: Mahashivratri 2022: Know Tithi, Shubh Muhurta, Pooja Vidhi And History

Shubh Muhurat of Holika Dahan 2022

Holika Dahan 2022 Shubh Muhurat is on March 17, Thursday.

Shubh Muhurta Start at 9:20 pm

Shubh Muhurta end night 10:31 pm

Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi

• Before worshiping Holika Dahan, it is necessary to take a bath first.
• After bathing, sit facing the north or east direction at the place of worship of Holika.
• For worship, make idols of Holika and Prahlad from cow dung.
• For the material of worship, use roli, flowers, the garland of flowers, raw yarn, jaggery, whole turmeric, moong, batashe, gulal coconut, etc. Keep 5 to 7 types of grains and water.
• After this, worship with all these worship materials with full rituals.
• Offer sweets and fruits.
• Along with worship, worship Lord Narasimha by law.
• Then circumambulate around Holika seven times.

Katha and History of Holika Dahan

Holi is one of the festivals celebrated like Diwali in India. This festival is also considered as the festival of victory of good over evil. Holi also has mythological significance for Hindus. The most popular story about this festival is Prahlad, Holika, and Hiranyakashipu. But not only Holi but many other stories are prevalent. The Vaishnava tradition considers Holi as the symbolic thread of the story of Holika-Prahlad. Let us know about them:-

Legend of Holika Dahan

According to the Puranas, there used to be a demon king Hiranyakashipu. They had a son Prahlad. Prahlad was always absorbed in the devotion of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu considered himself a god. When he saw that his son Prahlad did not believe in anyone other than Lord Vishnu! So he got angry. He tried a lot to get Prahlad killed. But failed every time. Holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu. Holika had the boon of not burning in the fire. Finally, he ordered his sister Holika to sit in the fire with Prahlad in her lap. Here too Holika was burnt to ashes. There was no harm to the devotee Prahlad. In memory of this incident, there is a law of Holika Dahan on this day. The festival of Holi gives the message that God is always present to protect His unique devotees.

Kamadeva was burnt to ashes

There is a story of Holi also of Kamadeva. Parvati wanted to marry Shiva. He did a lot of penance. But the attention of Shiva absorbed in penance did not go towards him. In such a situation, the god of love, Kamadeva came forward. He shot a flower arrow at Shiva. Shiva got so angry with the breaking of his penance that he opened his third eye. In the fire of his anger, Kamadeva was consumed. When Kamadeva was consumed, his wife Rati started crying. He pleaded with Shiva to revive Kamadeva. Shiva’s anger subsided till the next day. He revived Kamadeva. Holika is lit on the day Kamadeva is consumed. Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated in the joy of his resurrection.

Story of Shri Krishna and Putna

Holi has a deep relationship with Shri Krishna. This festival is also seen as a symbol of the love of Radha-Krishna. At the same time, according to the legend! when Kansa came to know about the presence of Shri Krishna in Gokul! So he sent a demon named Putana to kill every child born in Gokul. Putna is used to poison infants on the pretext of breastfeeding. But Krishna came to know of his deceit. They killed Putna while she was milking. From here also the recognition of celebrating the festival of Holika Dahan started.