Holika Dahan 2024: Date, puja timings, muhurat, rituals, puja samagri, significance, other deets

Holika Dahan 2024: Holika Dahan, also known as Chhoti Holi is a significant ritual observed on the eve of the main Holi festival. It is celebrated primarily in North India and marks the victory of good over evil.

The Holika bonfire, which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and happiness over grief, is lit by devotees the night before Holi to kick off the festival of colours. Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, also called Holika Deepak, occurs every year a day before Holi.

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This year Holika Dahan falls on March 24 (Sunday). 

Holika Dahan 2024: Significance

In Hindu mythology, a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashipu once opposed his son Prahlad's devotion to Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu consequently asked his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. However, when Holika attempted to kill Prahlad by throwing him into a bonfire, she herself was burned by the flames, but Prahlada was saved and protected by Lord Vishnu.

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Holika Dahan 2024: Muhurat/Puja Timings 

Holika Dahan 2024: Rituals

Holika Dahan is performed on the night before Holi. People congregate in public places on Holika Dahan and light bonfires to represent the destruction of evil. Also, they worship Lord Vishnu and pray to him in order to get his blessings.

Also Read | Holi 2024: Know the date, puja timings, rituals, historical insights, and significance

Holika Dahan 2024: Puja Samagri

• Wood, twigs, and dried leaves 
• Cow dung cakes or ghee 
• Roli (red vermillion powder)
• Chandan (sandalwood paste)
• Kumkum (vermillion powder)
• Flowers
• Akshat (uncooked rice grains)
• Dhoop (incense sticks) and Diya (oil lamp)
• Sweets, fruits, and other offerings
• Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) for Abhishek