Holi is the liveliest festival of India. The very origin of the festival describes and emphasises the triumph of ‘good’ over ‘evil’. Though the festival is generally identified as a celebration of colours, however the eve of Holi popularly known as ‘Holika Dahan’ is celebrated in a completely  different way. It is as important as the main festival itself that takes place the very next day of Holika Dahan.

On the eve of Holi, a bonfire is lit, prayers are offered and the triumph of good over evil is celebrated. There is a famous story behind following this ritual. According to mythology, Hiranyakashyap, the king of demons, demanded that everyone in his kingdom respect and fear him, all of whom did, except one, the demon’s own son Prahalad. The young boy was an ardent worshipper of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Being. In spite of several warnings and threats from Hiranyakashyap, Prahalad continued to worship Lord Vishnu. After several failed attempts of trying to kill his own son, Hiranyakashyap ordered his sister ‘Holika’, to take prahalad in her lap and sit on a burning pyre. Holika had a boon that made her immune to fire. So she was sure that prahalad would burn to death while she would remain cool. As per Hiranyakashyap’s order, Prahalad sat in his aunt’s lap on a burning pyre and started reciting the name of Lord Vishnu. To everybody’s astonishment, Prahalad survived the fire and Holika burned to death. The devotion and firm belief of the young boy for Lord Vishnu and his good deeds protected him from harm while the evil deeds of demon king led to the death of his own sister. Holika was using her boon to do something evil, so her power vanished and she was burned to ashes. Shortly afterwards, Vishnu killed King Hiranyakashyap and Prahalad ruled as a wise king in his father’s place. To remember the death of the evil, Holika dahan is practiced in many parts of the country on the eve of Holi. A sacred huge bonfire is created and worshipped with full religious fervour. People gather around the bonfire and take pheras barefooted chanting hymns and making sacred offerings. In some parts of the country, a dummy of Holika is also burned on the fire.

Holika Dahan also gives the message that it’s never wise to take God’s gifts for granted. The heat from the fire also depicts that winter is behind and the hot summer days are ahead. The day is also called as ‘Choti Holi’. Next day known as ‘Badi Holi’ or ‘Dulhendi’ is of course the main day of Holi festivities. This day is meant for pure fun, playing with colours, drenching in water, singing and dancing and enjoying colossally.

Holika Dahan will be celebrated today, March 20. Be a part of this ritual, sprinkle colours, gorge on sweetmeat ‘gujiyas’ and have a blast this Holi.

Have a safe and colourful Holi!