Hands down, Holi is one of the most awaited and loved festivals in India! With Holi 2024 just around the corner, keep scrolling down to know the date, time, significance, rituals, and MORE…
The festival of colors, Holi, doesn't need any introduction! It is easily the second biggest festival for Hindus after Diwali. Even though the festival is touted to be a significant Hindu festival, Holi transcends all religious and social-economic barriers and has the power to bring everyone together. No wonder it is celebrated with zeal and splendor!
What Is The Holi 2024 Date And Time? Check It Out Here! Holi is observed on the last Purnima (Full Moon Day) in the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar. As per the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls in February or March and signifies the end of the winter season.
Below is the Holi 2024 date and timing, as per the Indian Standard Time (IST).
Holika Dahan- 24th March 2024 (Sunday)
Purnima Tithi (Starts)- 09:54 PM, 24th March 2024
Purnima Tithi (Ends)- 12:29 PM, 25th March 2024
Holi Date- 25th March 2024 (Monday)
In most regions, the Holi festival is spread over two days every year. On the first day, Holika Dahan or Choti Holi is observed, wherein a bonfire is made at an appropriate Muhurat to symbolize the burning of the demoness- Holika. Rangwali Holi is celebrated on the second day when people play with Gulal (colored powder) and colored water. This is the actual Holi festival. The eight days before Holi are called Holashtak, and this period is considered inauspicious to carry out any important work. In some places in India, Rang Panchami is observed five days after Holi.
The Holi festival has many rituals associated with it. People celebrate Holi in different ways in different regions, depending on the cultural practices of that specific region. Generally, apart from playing with colors, Holika Dahan Puja is a major part of the festival. It should be conducted at a proper time, as doing it at the wrong time might bring you misfortune.
Let's get to know more.
For the Holika Puja, people start gathering wood for the lighting of the bonfire in fields and other open spaces. This is called Holika Dahan and alludes to the mythological tale of Holika and Prahlad.
The materials used for the Puja are cow dung, whole Moong Dal, unbroken rice or Akshat, Roli, flowers, Incense sticks or Agarbatti, cotton thread, Batasha, coconut, grains of freshly cultivated crops like wheat, etc. You must keep all the Puja materials on a plate.
Idols of Holika and Prahlada that are made of cow dung are kept on the pile. During the occasion of Holika Dahan, the idol of Prahlada is removed.
While sitting down for Puja, you must face the East or the North direction.
Take the Sankalp, and then worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Ambika, Lord Narsimha, and Prahlad. Worship them with complete rituals and use all the Puja materials.
Offer the rice, incense sticks, flowers, coconut, etc., to Holika. Take the raw yarn and tie it around the Holika. You can take three, five, or seven rounds, circumambulating it.
After that, empty the water pot in front of the woodpile. Then, Holika is burnt. Huge bonfires are lit in the evening. To celebrate the ultimate triumph of good, everyone gathered for the Holika Dahan partake to light the woodpile on fire.
Coconuts are thrown into the bonfire for worship.
After that, people take blessings from elders. People offer new crops to the bonfire and roast them. The roasted grains are distributed as the Prasad.
Devotees believe that all fear can be conquered by performing Holika Puja. This Puja is believed to bestow prosperity and wealth on the devotees. The fiery remains of the bonfire are believed to be incredibly auspicious. This is why devotees take the ashes home. The ash is also smeared on the body by devotees, as it is regarded to be pious. People believe it can purify your soul and body. After Holika Dahan, the next day, which is Holi, is filled with merriment.
Holi is marked by people smearing Gulal or Abeer (dry colored powder) of different hues on each other and the feet of the senior members of their families.
Pichkaris (water guns) of different shapes and sizes swarm the marketplaces and are a favorite among children. People use these water guns to drench each other with colored water. Children enjoy playing with water balloons and water guns.
Holi is filled with people dancing to the beats of drums and enjoying folk songs. It is seen as an occasion of fun and frolic.
On this occasion, people indulge in famous Holi delicacies such as Gujiya, Mathri, Ladoos, Thandai, etc. Bhang is another popular Holi beverage that is quite popular amongst people on this occasion.
Holi is about people participating in the general merriment with their near and dear ones.
The Hindu festival, Holi, is among the most significant Hindu festivals of all time and is known to have a twofold significance. On the one hand, it marks a crucial mythical and religious event, whereas, on the other hand, it signals the arrival of spring and the ending of winter.
Besides being the day when people smear Holi colors on each other, this particular festival also is the day when people celebrate brotherhood, peace, and the feeling of love. The day allows people to forgive others' mistakes and start anew in life. This pious occasion is seen as perfect for mending broken relationships as it brings people together and spreads happiness. Furthermore, the Holi festival is also celebrated by people as an occasion of thanksgiving for a good harvest.
As per mythology, this festival is associated with the triumph of good over evil. Many famous legends are related to the festival, but the most famous one is Prahlad and Holika. Prahlad was the son of demon king Hiranyakashyap. Prahlad was a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap was highly against his son being a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Out of rage, Hiranyakashyap tried to kill his son numerous times but failed repeatedly. Finally, he turned to his sister, Holika. Holika had a shawl given by Lord Brahma to protect her from fire. She coaxed young Prahlad to sit on her lap in a huge bonfire. When the fire was lit, Prahlad started chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. Due to the grace of the divine Lord Vishnu, the shawl protected Prahlad instead of Holika. The demoness Holika was burned to ashes, and Prahlada was unhurt. Later, Lord Vishnu, in the form of Lord Narasimha, killed Hiranyakashyap. Therefore, this occasion has massive importance for devotees.
How Is Holi Celebrated in India?
Considered one of the most famous festivals in India, Holi is eagerly awaited by people. The festival of Holi is a celebration of peace, prosperity, happiness, equality, and brotherhood. It is referred to by different names by people in different regions of India, some of which are Dhulandi or Dhulendi, Dol Jatra in West Bengal and Orissa, and Shigmo in Goa. Big Holi events such as parties and parades are organized. People in agricultural societies also celebrate Holi, which symbolizes a new harvest season.
Let’s look at how the Holi celebration is done in different parts of the country.
Big Holi Melas or fairs are held in different cities of Uttar Pradesh and other parts of Northern India.
Holi is celebrated with much gusto everywhere, but the Holi in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana is on another level. Mathura, Gokul, Barsana, Vrindavan, and Govardhan are associated with the divine Lord Krishna and are famous for their Holi celebrations. Every temple and house celebrates this festival of colors with immense enthusiasm. People visit the temples during this time, play Holi with flowers and colors, and get drenched with colored water as it is believed to be a blessing from God. In Vrindavan, you can hear Bhajans and devotional songs for Radha and Krishna in the background wherever you go.
Lathmar Holi, meaning the ‘Holi of sticks,’ is a famous traditional Holi festivity in Barsana and Nandgaon. In this festival, women have fun beating men with bamboo sticks or Lathis.
A beautiful Holi celebration can be seen in Vrindavan, where ‘Phoolon Wali Holi’ is observed, where only flowers are used to play Holi with each other.
In West Bengal, Holi is known as Dol Jatra, wherein people spray colored water and smear Abeer on each other. Holi at Shantiniketan is particularly well-known. Rabindranath Tagore introduced Basanta Utsav, meaning Spring festival, to celebrate the arrival of Spring on Holi. Holi is celebrated in Shantiniketan with colors and the recital of the eternal songs of Rabindranath Tagore, dance performances, and hymns. Dishes like Payesh and Malpua are made on this occasion.
Holi defies all religious discrimination and transcends every barrier. The festival of color brings people from different faiths, communities, regions, and walks of life together, and everyone smears Gulal, eats, drinks, dances, and makes merry.
So, this Holi 2024, give Holi wishes to all your loved ones, smear Gulal and enjoy the festival to the fullest by participating with full zeal.
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