The atmosphere starts to build up a day prior, with burning of Holika in the evening. People start heading back to their home town and villages to celebrate the festival with their friends,relatives and friends
Holi, India’s favorite spring festival, is around the corner and almost every state in the country has its own way of marking the beginning of the new harvest season. The festival is celebrated for two main reasons, to welcome the spring season and to celebrate the victory of good over the bad. Holi is celebrated in India over two days. The first day of the festival is celebrated as Holika Dahan. On this day, a bonfire is lit, to signify the mythological tale of king Hiranyakashipu who was blessed to never be killed. He wanted to be worshiped by every single person in his kingdom, something his son Prahlad refused to do. As this enraged Hiranyakashipu, he planned to kill Prahlad, his son. The king’s sister Holika had a boon which enabled her to never be armed by fire. So she entered a bonfire, but as soon as she took Prahlad on her lap, he was chanting Vishnu’s name. This kept him safe, and Holika burnt away that night.
According to Hindu scriptures Holika Dahan, which is also known as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi, should be done during Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing. Bhadra prevails during first half of Purnimasi Tithi and all good work should be avoided when Bhadra prevails.
Holika Dahan Muhurta is decided based on following rules.
The first preference to get Holika Dahan Muhurta is during Pradosh while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing and Bhadra is over. If Bhadra prevails during Pradosh but it ends before midnight then Holika Dahan should be done after Bhadra is over. If Bhadra is getting over after midnight then only Holika Dahan should be done in Bhadra and preferably during Bhadra Punchha. However one should avoid Bhadra Mukha and in no condition Holika Dahan should be done in Bhadra Mukha. Doing so brings bad luck for the whole year not only for individuals but for whole city and country. Many times Bhadra Punchha is not available between Pradosh and midnight. In such situations one should do Holika Dahan during Pradosh. In rare occasions when neither Pradosh nor Bhadra Punchha is available then one should do Holika Dahan after Pradosh.
We suggest you the best Muhurta for Holika Dahan. In no situation we suggest Bhadra Mukha. If Bhadra Punchha is before Pradosh or after midnight we can’t take that for Holika Dahan as Holika Dahan should be done between Pradosh and midnight. By midnight we mean Hindu midnight which is not same as 24
