Choti Holi 2024 Date: When Is Holika Dahan? All About The Festival That Symbolise The Victory Of Good Over Evil

Holika Dahan 2024: This traditional Hindu festival, also called Holika Dahan or choti Holi, is a lively and joyful event that brings people together for prayers, socializing, and fun. Bonfires are lit to show good winning over evil, and burning Holika represents devotion triumphing over wickedness.

Choti Holi is rich in meaning and symbols. So, come join the celebrations, play with colors, and enjoy some tasty sweets! Choti Holi is a time for happiness and festivities! From its Date in 2024, timings, and history to its significance, here's all you need to know about this special festival.

When is Choti Holi 2024?

Choti Holi, also called Holika Dahan, is set to be celebrated all over India on Sunday, March 24, 2024. As per the Drik Panchang calendar, the auspicious time for the festivities begins at 11:13 pm on March 24th and continues until 12:27 am on March 25th, 2024. This joyous occasion marks the victory of good over evil, with people coming together to light bonfires, play with colors, and enjoy traditional sweets. It's a time for families and communities to bond, share laughter, and create lasting memories.

Holika Dahan and Holi timings | Photo: Indiatimes

In many places, Holi is celebrated over two days. The first day is called Jalanewali Holi when a big bonfire is lit. The second day is called Rangwali Holi, when everyone enjoys playing with colorful powders and water. It's a time filled with joy and laughter as people come together to celebrate the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

Holika Dahan (Choti Holi) History

Holika Dahan is a special Hindu festival celebrated every year on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna, usually in February or March. This year, on March 24, 2024, people will gather to celebrate Holika Dahan. It's also called Chhoti Holi and comes a day before the big Holi festival. This festival is all about good winning over evil.

According to Hindu legends, Holika Dahan honors the bravery of Prahlada, a young follower of Lord Vishnu, and his evil father, Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu wanted to harm Prahlada because he wouldn't worship his father as a god. However, Prahlada's strong faith in Lord Vishnu protected him, and Vishnu took the form of Narasimha to defeat Hiranyakashipu. On Holika Dahan, people gather outdoors and light bonfires to represent the burning of evil. They also do puja (prayers) to Lord Vishnu, asking for his blessings.

People also mark the occasion by applying coloured powder, called tilak, on each other's foreheads as a symbol of friendship. Besides its religious importance, Holika Dahan is culturally significant too.

During this festival, people share sweets, and snacks, and have fun with coloured powders and water, which is the highlight of Holi. Overall, Holika Dahan is a significant Hindu festival that symbolises the victory of good over evil. It's a time for people to come together, pray, and enjoy with their loved ones.

Choli Holi (Holika Dahan) Significance

The festival, symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the victory of devotion over wickedness. People light bonfires to celebrate this victory. It's believed that these fires represent the defeat of Holika, a demoness who tried to harm Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Her demise shows that good deeds always overcome evil ones. Holika Dahan also marks the end of winter and the start of spring. It's a time for families and friends to gather, enjoy each other's company, and have a good time. Besides its religious and cultural importance, Holika Dahan also helps the environment. The fires, made from dried leaves and twigs, cleanse the air and prevent diseases.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.