Holi celebrations will kick off with the auspicious Holika Dahan. To celebrate the victory of good over evil, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 3 this year.
When is Holika Dahan 2026?
Holika Dahan coincides with the first lunar eclipse of the year, which is also scheduled to take place on Tuesday. While there is confusion over the date, Holika Dahan will be watched on March 3 (Tuesday), as reported by DrikPanchang.com.
Meaning of Holika Dahan: Why is it celebrated
Considered one of the most auspicious events of the year, Holika Dahan takes place during the festival of colors Holi.
This rare celestial phenomenon is observed on Purnima Tithi in the Hindu month of Phalguna and has deep religious significance. It worships Prahalad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, and symbolizes faith and devotion. The event is widely considered to celebrate the victory of good over evil. On this day, people gather in the evening during the auspicious muhurat to perform Holika Dahan rituals and light bonfires as part of the celebrations.
Holika Dahan Muhurta: What is it? Why is it important?
Choosing the right muhurta (timing) for Holika Dahan is considered more important than choosing an auspicious time for most other festivals. While performing puja at the wrong time during other occasions can simply reduce its spiritual benefits, performing Holika Dahan at the wrong time is believed to bring suffering and misfortune.
Citing Hindu scriptures, DrikPanchang suggests that Holika Dahan – also referred to as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi – should ideally be performed during Pradosh Kaal, which begins after sunset, when the Purnimasi Tithi is in effect. However, Bhadra occurs during the first half of the Purnimasi Tithi and all shubh (auspicious) activities are strictly excluded as long as Bhadra prevails.
The most preferred muhurta for Holika Dahan is during Pradosh Kaal when Purnimasi Tithi is active and Bhadra has ended. If Bhadra continues during Pradosh but ends before midnight, the ritual should be performed after Bhadra ends. In cases where Bhadra goes beyond midnight, Holika Dahan can be performed during Bhadra itself, but only during the Bhadra Punchha period, the website said.
However, Bhadra Mukha is considered very inauspicious and should be avoided at all times as performing Holika Dahan during this time is believed to bring bad luck not only to individuals but to the entire community or even the country. Sometimes Bhadra Punchha may not occur between Pradosh and midnight; in such situations it is recommended to perform Holika Dahan during Pradosh Kaal. In rare cases where neither Pradosh Kaal nor Bhadra Punchha is available, the ritual should be performed after Pradosh as mentioned on the website.
Holika Dahan Muhurta – March 3 from 12:58 PM to 01:02 AM
Duration – 00 hours 05 minutes
Bhadra Punchha – 8:55 PM to 10:05 PM
Bhadra Mukha – 10:05 PM to 12:00 AM
Holika Dahan during Pradosh with Bhadra
Purnima Tithi Starts – March 23, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Purnima Tithi ends – March 3, 2026 at 12:37 PM
