Festival guide
Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is the bonfire lit on the evening of Phalguna Purnima, the night before Holi. It celebrates the victory of devotion over arrogance.
Holika Dahan dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday 2 March | Phalguna Shukla Purnima 2 Mar, 17:56 → 3 Mar, 17:08 |
| 2027 | Sunday 21 March | Phalguna Shukla Purnima 21 Mar, 18:22 → 22 Mar, 16:13 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi in the evening (pradosh).
Also known as: Chhoti Holi, Kamudu Pyre (South India).
Story and significance
The demon king Hiranyakashipu tried to kill his son Prahlada for worshipping Vishnu. His sister Holika, said to be immune to fire, sat with Prahlada in a blazing pyre — but Holika burned while Prahlada emerged unharmed.
How Holika Dahan is celebrated
- A pyre of wood and cow-dung cakes is built in the neighbourhood over the preceding days
- The fire is lit in the evening after Bhadra has ended, at a time given by the Panchang
- Families circle the fire, offering coconut, grain and new wheat or gram
- Some take a little ash home as a blessing
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Holika Dahan 2026?
Holika Dahan 2026 falls on Monday, 2 March 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Holika Dahan 2027?
Holika Dahan 2027 falls on Sunday, 21 March 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Holika Dahan change every year?
Holika Dahan is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha Purnima of Phalguna (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Holika Dahan fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.