Holika Dahan 2020- Mythology and Significance

Identical to the Hindu culture of celebrating good over evil, the festival of Holika Dahan resembles putting an end to our evils.

Typically, the grand Hindu festival Holi is celebrated for a duration of three consecutive days. The first day of celebration marks Holika Dahan. Keeping with the ancient tradition, pryers collect wood, assemble them in particular order. Further, in the evening, on a specific Muhurat of Holika Dahan, they collectively worship around the wood by setting it on fire. Alongside offering sweets, coconut, wheatgrass, devotees also burn their negativity in the bonfire.

According to Hindu Calendar Panchang, the festival of Holika Dahan falls on the Purnima or Full Moon of Phalguna Month. This year, Holika Dahan 2020 is taking place on Monday, 9th March. The next day, Holi the grand festival of colors and delectable dishes is following on 10th March Tuesday.

Holika Dahan 2020 Muhurat

Holika Dahan Timing 2020– 9th March 2020 at 18:47-21:11
Duration of Dahan– 02 hours 25 Mins
Bhadra Punchha- 09:50:36 to 0:51:24
Bhadra Mukha- 10:51:24 to 12:32:44

Purnima Tithi Begins at 03:03 9th March 2020
Purnima Tithi Ends at 23:17 on 9th March 2020

Rango Wali Holi 2020 Muhurat– 10th March 2020

Significance of Holika Dahan 2020

Celebration of holds a great significance among the Hindus. It is a tradition that depicts the death of Holika, sister of Demon King Hiranyakashyapu and wondrous evacuation of his son Prahlad. In Indian mythology, the rituals of Holika Dahan includes lighting Diyas in the form of Holika Deepak. Furthermore, devotees recognize this festival by the name of Chhoti Holi.

Like any other Hindu festival, choosing the correct Holika Dahan Muhurat is quite significant. Offering worship and performing the Dahan at the wrong time doesn’t bring any well being and fortune to the life of a person. Nonetheless, the wrong Muhurat adds in the misfortune in a person’s life.

The best Holika Dahan Muhurat is at the time of Pradosh on Purnimasi Tithi while it is prevailing and Bhadra Tithi is over. On the other hand, if the Bhadra Tithi is prevailing while Pradosh Kal, however, it ends prior to midnight, then you should perform Holika Dahan only after Bhadra Tithi is over. However, if Bhadra Tithi gets over after midnight, in a such a situation, you shouls perform Holika Dahan during Bhadra Punchha Tithi.

Significance of Astrology in Holashtak

In the words of Expert Astrologers, from Phalguna Shukla Ashtami to Purnima (full moon) the position of the planets is fierce. Moon On Phalgula Shukla Ashtami, Sun on Navami, Saturn on Dashami, Venus on Ekadashi, Jupiter on Dwadashi, Mercury on Trayodashi, Mars on Chaturdashi, and Rahu on Purnima has a fierce position. During this time, the planets impart tremendous disbalance in the life of people. Commonly, they face hindrance and stress.

Prohibition of Auspicious works in Holashtak

Annually, Holashak falls eight days before the Holi celebration. This year, Holashatak is taking place from 3rd March to 9th March.

According to sacred Hindu writings, during the time of Holashtak, there is no auspicious time for marriage. Meanwhile, all the Manglik Karya or auspicious works have been banned in this period.

In addition, during this period, it is highly inauspicious to perform any of the 16 religious rites of Sanatan Dharma. However, Hindus also believe that one who dies during this time is blessed with heaven.

Any kind of religious activity such as Yagya, Havana, and Grah Pravesh is also inauspicious in Holashtak.

Significantly, newly married brides should not go to their paternal homes or return to their in-laws’ house.

Moreover, Bhoomi Pooja for the construction of a new building or house is also ominous during Holashtak.

Further, once after performing Holika Dahan Puja, you can commence any auspicious or new work. It brings great fortune.

Things to Do in Holashtak–

The duration of Holashtak is inauspicious for performing any religious act. However, it is a perfect occasion to perform donations and charity. By helping poor, donating them food and clothes and serving in temples you can gain blessings of god. Also, it adds in fortune and good karma.

The mythology of Holika Dahan

There are numerous reasons behind the celebration of Holika Dahan. However, the prime motive to celebrate is to commemorate the triumph of good over bad in every form.

In accordance with the Hindu mythology, the occasion derives its name from the name of King Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika. Whereas Dahan means burning. One of the most popular mythological tales mentions, Hiranyakashipu had the boon he could not die by anything born of a living womb, neither by any man nor by any animal, neither in the day nor in the night, neither inside nor outside, neither in air nor on the ground nor in water, also, nor by any arm.

Gradually, he was filled with ego and pride. Thus, he could not take any human worshipping any other god than himself. However, his own Prahalad takes birth after a while. As Prahalad heard Narada’s chanting while he was in his mother’s womb, he becomes a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Regardless of great effort of his father, Prahalad selflessly worshipped Lord Vishnu.

Angered by this, Hiranyakashipu orders his sister Holika to sit in the fire with Prahalad in her lap. Holika had the boon that she would never be burnt by fire. However, with the intention of hurting an innocent, she sits in the fire. As a result of her demonic act, she burns in the fire. On the other hand, Prahalad comes out of it unharmed.

Later, Lord Vishnu takes the incarnation of Lord Narasimha who is half human and half lion. Further, he slaughters Hiranyakashipu on his lap while standing in the middle of a door. It puts an end to the evilness of the king.

Holika Dahan Puja

The ritual of Holika Dahan commences on the day of Muhurat. However, devotees start to prepare woods for bonfire many days prior to the celebration.

In Hindu puja, directions play a significant role. Therefore, to begin the Holika Dahan Puja, stand in East or North direction.

There are a few specific offerings for Holika Dahan. For instance, water, flower garlands, Roli, rice jaggery, whole turmeric, moong, bachas, Gulal, coconut, myrrh, flowers, raw cotton, etc. Collect these things to offer in the Dahan.

Also, keep some new crops and other toys made of cow dung near Holika for the offering.

When the Auspicious Muhurat of Holika Dahan begins, worship Holika with water, molly, flowers, and jaggery.

Further, wrap the raw yarn and take three or seven rounds around the Holika.

Next, offer pure water and all other things to Holika after one another.

After the sunset, during the Pradosha Kaal start burning the Holika.

Once the Holika ends burning, you can bring ashes to your home. It brings fortune and creates a blissful environment.

Last Full Moon of Hindu Year

According to the Hindu calendar Panchang, Phalugan Month is the last month of Hindu Year. Thus, the Phalguna Purnima is the last Purnima (full moon) and last day of the year. It also celebrated the end of Holashtak. With a great social as well as religious significance, a great number of devotees observe fast on this occasion.

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