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Holika Dahan Celebration Images: Even today, people enact the scene of ‘Holika’s burning to ashes’ every year to mark the victory of good over evil. In several states of India, specially in the north, effigies of Holika are burnt in the huge bonfires that are lit. There is even a practice of hurling cow dungs into the fire and shouting obscenities at it as if at Holika. Then everywhere one hears shouts of ‘Holi-hai! Holi-hai!’.
The tradition of burning ‘Holika’ is religiously followed in Gujarat and Orissa also. Here, people render their gratitude to Agni, the god of fire by offering gram and stalks from the harvest with all humility.
Holika Dahan Celebration Images – Photo Gallery
Further, on the last day of Holi, people take a little fire from the bonfire to their homes. It is believed that by following this custom their homes will be rendered pure and their bodies will be free from disease. At several places there is also a tradition of cleaning homes, removing all dirty articles from around the house and burning them. Disease-breeding bacteria are thereby destroyed and the sanitary condition of the locality is improved.
Holika Dahan, a significant Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil, is celebrated annually on the eve of Holi. In 2025, Holika Dahan will be observed on March 13th, followed by Holi on March 14th.
Holika Dahan is performed on the full moon night (Purnima) of Phalguna month of Hindu calendar, which occurs in March mostly. The sacred time for performing the ritual depends on lunar calculations every year. For 2025, the specific time of the Holika Dahan pooja will be decided upon by local Hindu priests, taking into consideration the alignment of heavenly bodies to decide on the most auspicious moment for celebrations. The devotees are asked to check with local temple authorities or authentic Hindu almanacs (Panchang) nearer to the date for accurate timings.
