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{{about|the asuri sister of Hiranyakashipu|the rakshasi who appears in the Ramayana|Simhika}}<br />
{{short description|Asuri in Hindu mythology}}<br />
{{Infobox deity<br />
| other_names = Simhika<br />
| image = File:Holika dhan.jpg<br />
| caption = Holika's burning signifies the triumph of righteousness over sin<br />
| type = hindu<br />
| affiliation = [[Daitya]], [[Asura]]<br />
| father = [[Kashyapa]]<br />
| mother = [[Diti]]<br />
| siblings = [[Hiranyakashipu]] and [[Hiranyaksha]]<br />
| spouse = [[Viprachitti]]<br />
| children = [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]<br />
| festivals = [[Holika Dahan]]<br />
| gender = Female <br />
}}<br />
{{Hinduism small}}<br />
'''Holika''' ({{lang-sa|होलिका|translit=Hōlikā}}), also known as '''Simhika,''' is an [[Asura|asuri]] in [[Hinduism]]. She is the sister of the asura-kings [[Hiranyakashipu]] and [[Hiranyaksha]], and the paternal aunt of [[Prahlada]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&dq=holika+diti+kashyapa&pg=PA148 |title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths |date=2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-341517-6 |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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The legend of ''[[Holika Dahan]]'' (Holika's burning) signifies the triumph of righteousness over sin. Holika is associated with the annual bonfire on the night before [[Holi]], the festival of colours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-24 |title=Holi, Holikā, Holika: 12 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/holi |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==Legend==<br />
[[File:Prahlada holika, 13th century Keshava temple Somanathpur.jpg|left|thumb|Ancient sculpture depicting Prahlada in flames.]]<br />
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According to the [[Puranas]], a king named [[Hiranyakashipu]], like many [[asuras]], wished to be immortal. To fulfill this desire, he performed the required [[Tapas (Indian religions)|tapas]] until he was granted a boon by [[Brahma]]. The boon granted [[Hiranyakashipu]] five of his desires: that he would not die at the hands of any being created by Brahma, that he would not perish inside or outside, by day or night, by any weapon, on the earth or in the sky, by men or beasts, [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] or asuras, that he be unequalled, that he possess undiminishing power, and that he be the one ruler of all creation. His wish granted, Hiranyakashipu felt invincible, and conquered the three worlds, assuming the throne of [[Indra]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-29 |title=Hiranyakashipu, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Hiranya-kashipu: 14 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hiranyakashipu#purana |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> He punished and killed anyone all those who objected to his supremacy. His son [[Prahlada]], raised a [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]], refused to worship his father as a deity. He continued believing in and worshipping [[Vishnu]].<br />
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This infuriated Hiranyakashipu, and he made various attempts to kill Prahlada. During one attempt on Prahlada's life, King Hiranyakashipu's sister, Holika, offered her help. According to the [[Vishnu Purana]], Holika told her brother that due to a boon she had received, she was invulnerable to fire. Arrangements were made to have Prahlada sit upon the lap of his aunt, atop a burning pyre. However, as Prahlada chanted the name of Vishnu, he escaped unscathed, while Holika was incinerated.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chaturvedi |first=B. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u8m441zg_KgC&dq=holika+ourana&pg=PA42 |title=Vishnu Purana |date=2006 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. |isbn=978-81-7182-673-5 |pages=42 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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In a variation of this Puranic legend, Hiranyakashipu had Holika don her scarf or her fireproof garment, so that his son may perish, and she may be protected atop the pyre. However, as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlada. Holika burnt to death, and Prahlada came out unharmed.<ref name="cj">Constance Jones, Holi, in J Gordon Melton (Editor), Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays Festivals Solemn Observances and Spiritual Commemorations, {{ISBN|978-1598842067}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McCoy |first=Daniel J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lf8SEAAAQBAJ&dq=Holika+Prahlada&pg=PA196 |title=The Popular Handbook of World Religions |date=2021-03-23 |publisher=Harvest House Publishers |isbn=978-0-7369-7910-8 |pages=196 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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Vishnu appeared in the form of [[Narasimha]] (a half-human and half-lion [[Avatar|avatara]], one not created by Brahma), at dusk (neither day nor night), took Hiranyakashipu to his dwelling's threshold (neither indoors nor outdoors), placed him upon his lap (neither land, water, nor air), and then slew the king with his claws (not a weapon). In this manner, the comprehensive boon of Hiranyakashipu was no longer useful. Prahlada and the races of the three worlds were thus set free from the tyranny of Hiranyakashipu, and cosmic order was restored.<ref>Kumar, V. (Ed.). (2004), 108 Names of Vishnu. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd., {{ISBN|8120720237}}</ref><br />
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==Holika Dahan==<br />
{{main|Holika Dahan}}<br />
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[[File:Holika Dahan, Kathamandu, Nepal.jpg|upright|250px|thumb|[[Holika Dahan]], Kathamandu, Nepal]]<br />
According to various Hindu traditions, Holika Dahana,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lDFuAAAAMAAJ&q=holika+dahana |title=Indian Review of Books |date=1999 |publisher=Acme Books Pvt. Limited |pages=117 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sahāi |first=Prem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YHvXAAAAMAAJ&q=holika+dahana |title=Hindu Marriage Saṃskāra |date=1993 |publisher=Wheeler Pub. |isbn=978-81-85814-12-4 |pages=86 |language=en}}</ref> commonly rendered Holika Dahan in [[Indo-Aryan languages]], celebrates the death of Holika and the salvation of Prahlada. The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in [[North India]], to commemorate this legend. This date coincides with the festival of Kama Dahanam in [[South India]], regarded to be the date [[Shiva]] burnt [[Kamadeva]] to ashes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kumar |first=Tumuluru Kamal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uYCAEAAAQBAJ&dq=holika+festival&pg=PA54 |title=Hindu Prayers, Gods and Festivals |date=2015-04-21 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-4828-4708-6 |pages=54 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/holi_1.shtml Origins of Holi] at ''[[BBC]]''.<br />
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{{HinduMythology}}<br />
{{Hindudharma}}<br />
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[[Category:Daityas]]<br />
[[Category:Holi]]<br />
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[[sv:Holika]]</div>Ajay Kumar