Dangerpanditankit at 06:16, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T06:16:51Z

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{{Short description|Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Holika Dahana
| type = Hindu and indian
| nickname = 
| image = File:Holika Dahan 2020.jpg
| caption = Holi Bonfire at Shri Ram Chowk, I.P Extension, [[Delhi]].
| official_name =
| begins =
| ends =
| date = Fourteenth day of the waxing half of the Hindu month [[Phalguna]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDUOAQAAMAAJ&q=holika+dahan+prahlada | isbn=9780780802582 | title=Religious Holidays and Calendars: An Encyclopedic Handbook | year=1998 | publisher=Omnigraphics }}</ref>
| date2015 =
| date2016 =
| date2017 =
| date2018 =
| celebrations = Bonfires, celebrations
| relatedto = [[Holi]]
| observedby = [[Hindus]]
| significance = Victory of righteousness over unrighteousness<br>Incineration of Kamadeva into ash by Shiva
}}
[[File:Holi bonfire on Holi eve 2012.webm|thumb|Holi bonfire on Holi eve in Delhi, 2012]]
'''Holika Dahana''' ({{Langx|sa|होलिकादहन|lit=Burning of Holika|translit=Holikādahana}}), is a [[Hindu festival]] in which a bonfire is lit to celebrate the burning of the demoness [[Holika]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Galván |first=Javier A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e2RyBAAAQBAJ&dq=choti+holi&pg=PA137 |title=They Do What? A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World |date=2014-06-19 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-342-4 |pages=137 |language=en}}</ref> This ritual is symbolic of victory of good over evil.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=287 |language=en}}</ref> It precedes [[Holi]], the festival of colours, which celebrates the spring season.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gakhar |first=Roshan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E8dyEAAAQBAJ&dq=holika+dahan&pg=PT65 |title=Human Nature: Love & Happiness |date=2022-06-17 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-88704-336-4 |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref> According to legend, Holika was the sister of [[Hiranyakashipu]], who acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She then attempted to kill her nephew, [[Prahlada]], by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. However, she was immolated while Prahlada was saved from the fire.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Holikadahan.jpg|thumb|Holika Dahana at [[Koparkhairane railway station|Koparkhairane]] in [[Navi Mumbai]], 2025]]

In [[South India]], this occasion is called '''Kama Dahanam''',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kumar |first=Tumuluru Kamal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uYCAEAAAQBAJ&dq=kama+dahanam&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><ref>{{Cite book |last=Verma |first=Rajeev |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S7eo6vsvkEkC&dq=kama+dahanam&pg=PA255 |title=Faith & Philosophy of Hinduism |date=2009 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-718-8 |pages=255 |language=en}}</ref> and is associated with the legend of [[Shiva]] burning [[Kamadeva]] to ashes with his third eye.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopal |first=Dr Krishna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jAbgAAAAMAAJ&q=kamadeva+kama+dahanam |title=Fairs and Festivals of India |date=2003 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-212-0809-3 |pages=344 |language=en}}</ref> Pantomimes of Kamadeva are performed on this occasion in rural [[Tamil Nadu]], and his effigies are burnt.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Usha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6OYRUEAF7oC&dq=kama+dahanam&pg=PA81 |title=Festivals In Indian Society (2 Vols. Set) |date=2008-01-01 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-8324-113-7 |pages=81 |language=en}}</ref>

==Significance==
{{Main articles|Holika}}
[[File:Holika Dahan, Kathamandu, Nepal.jpg|right|thumb|Woman preparing for Holika Dahana, Kathamandu, Nepal]]
The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in [[Maharashtra]] [[North India]], [[East India]], [[Assam]], [[Nepal]], and parts of [[South India]] in keeping with this tradition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/forests-bear-the-brunt-of-holi/article4552974.ece|title=Forests bear the brunt of Holi|first=S. Harpal|last=Singh|date=27 March 2013|accessdate=9 January 2020|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

Holika Dahana marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, a time of renewal and rejuvenation in nature, symbolizing new beginnings and the arrival of a fresh season. The fire is seen as a means of burning away negativity and impurities, both physical and spiritual, preparing individuals for the joy and festivities of Holi. People gather together to participate in the rituals, strengthening social ties and promoting unity within the community.

In some parts of [[North India]] the day is called Holika Dahana. while in other parts like [[Purvanchal]] (eastern [[Uttar Pradesh]] and western [[Bihar]]) as well as [[Terai]] regions of [[Nepal]] it is called Sammat or Samhat. In [[West Bengal]], the day before Dolyatra is called "Chanchor" or "Nyara Pora", in which dry branches, twigs and leaves of the trees are heaped together and set on fire to commemorate Holika Dahan.

==See also==
*[[Shigmo]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{HinduFestivals}}
[[Category:Holi]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Traditions involving fire]]

Holika Dahana - Revision history

Dangerpanditankit at 06:16, 8 May 2026