Holi Dahan around the world in 2025

Holi Dahan around the world in 2025
Hindu devotees watch a Holika bonfire in Ahmedabad, India.
  How long until Holi Dahan?
Holi Dahan
  Dates of Holi Dahan around the world
2026 IndiaMar 2
Bihar Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Jharkhand Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Madhya Pradesh Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Odisha Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Rajasthan Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Sikkim Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Telangana Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Uttar Pradesh Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
Uttarakhand Mon, Mar 2Regional Holiday
2025 IndiaMar 13
Bihar Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Jharkhand Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Madhya Pradesh Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Odisha Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Rajasthan Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Sikkim Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Telangana Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Uttar Pradesh Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Uttarakhand Thu, Mar 13Regional Holiday
2024 IndiaMar 24
Odisha Sun, Mar 24Regional Holiday
Rajasthan Sun, Mar 24Regional Holiday
Sikkim Sun, Mar 24Regional Holiday
Uttar Pradesh Sun, Mar 24Regional Holiday
2023 IndiaMar 6, Mar 7
Jharkhand Tue, Mar 7Regional Holiday
Odisha Tue, Mar 7Regional Holiday
Sikkim Tue, Mar 7Regional Holiday
Uttar Pradesh Tue, Mar 7Regional Holiday
Uttarakhand Tue, Mar 7Regional Holiday
Rajasthan Mon, Mar 6Regional Holiday
2022 IndiaMar 17, Mar 18
Assam Fri, Mar 18Regional Holiday
Telangana Fri, Mar 18Regional Holiday
Rajasthan Thu, Mar 17Regional Holiday
Uttar Pradesh Thu, Mar 17Regional Holiday
Uttarakhand Thu, Mar 17Regional Holiday
  Summary

The day before Holi commemorates the burning of the demon Holika

Related holidays

When is Holi Dahan?

The day before Holi is known as Holi Dahan and can be a holiday in some states.

It is celebrated on the full moon in early March every year.

History of Holi Dahan

Though Holi was originally a festival to celebrate the start of Spring, today it is better known as a symbolic commemoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology.

The story is that there was once a demon king called Hiranyakashayap who resented his son, Prince Prahlada, worshipping Lord Vishnu. He tries to murder the prince on several occasions but fails each time.

Finally, a plan was hatched where Holika would take Prahlad onto her lap and sit in a bonfire. Holika would survive because she had an enchanted shawl that would protect her from the flames.

But the plan failed. Prahlad was saved by Vishnu and it was Holika who died as she was only immune to fire if she was alone. Shortly after, Vishnu killed Hiranyakashayap and Prahlad became king.

The moral of the story is that good always triumphs over evil.

Holi Dahan remembers this event, and huge bonfires are burnt on Holi Dahan as a symbolic representation of the cremation of Holika.

The festival is also associated with the eternal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura - the two cities with which Lord Krishna shared a deep affiliation.

How is Holi Dahan celebrated?

The festival begins on the night of the full moon. Fires are lit on street corners to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes, and to symbolize the destruction of the wicked Holika, after whom the festival was named.

Doljatra

In Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, Doljatra is celebrated instead of Holi. Essentially it is the same festival as Holi Dahan, but has added emphasis as it is the last festival of the Bengali year.


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