# Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi

> How to perform the Holika Dahan puja on the eve of Holi: the bonfire, the offerings, the circles with raw thread, and the morning after.

Source: https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/holi/holi-puja-vidhi

| Day | Phalguna Purnima (Holika Dahan); colours the next day |
| --- | --- |
| Time | Pradosha kala after sunset, avoiding Bhadra |
| Offerings | Water, roli, rice, flowers, raw cotton thread, turmeric, new grain, coconut |

## Preparing the pyre

In the days before, wood, cow-dung cakes and dry leaves are collected at a crossroads or open ground, and a pole is set in the centre for Holika, sometimes with an image of Prahlada. Many families make garlands of small cow-dung cakes (badkulle or gulariya) to offer.

## The puja

Sitting facing east or north near the pyre, sprinkle water and make the sankalpa. Worship Narasimha and Prahlada, then the pyre, with roli, rice, flowers, turmeric, gram, a coconut and sweets. Wind raw cotton thread around the pyre while walking round it three or seven times. Pour water from a pot round it.

At the auspicious time the pyre is lit. Offer new ears of wheat and barley and green gram to the fire and roast them; they are taken home as prasad. Walk around the fire and pray for the burning of all evil, as Holika burned and Prahlada was saved.

## The next morning

A little ash from the fire is brought home and applied as a tilak for protection. On the day of colours, Dhulandi, the family first offers colour to the deities, especially Krishna and Radha, and then plays with colours, visiting friends and sharing gujiya and thandai.

## Things to keep in mind

Holika Dahan is done only after sunset, on the full Moon, and never during Bhadra; the Holi date page gives the times. Newly married women in many regions do not watch the first Holika fire of their married life. Use natural colours the next day.

## Dates and related pages

- [Phalguna Purnima](https://www.hinducalendar.today/purnima/phalguna/phalguna-purnima-date-time)
- [Narasimha Jayanti Vrat Katha](https://www.hinducalendar.today/vrat-katha/narasimha-jayanti/narasimha-jayanti-vrat-katha)
- [Lord Narasimha](https://www.hinducalendar.today/dashavatara/narasimha/info/lord-narasimha)

## Festival Puja Vidhi

- [Ganesha Chaturthi Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi/ganesha-chaturthi-puja-vidhi)
- [Maha Shivaratri Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/maha-shivaratri/maha-shivaratri-puja-vidhi)
- [Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/dashavatara/lord-krishna/janmashtami/puja-vidhi/krishna-janmashtami-puja-vidhi)
- [Rama Navami Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/dashavatara/rama-navami/puja-vidhi/rama-navami-puja-vidhi)
- [Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/navratri/info/ghatasthapana-puja-vidhi)
- [Durga Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/navratri/durga-puja/puja-vidhi/durga-puja-vidhi)
- [Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/karwa-chauth/info/karwa-chauth-puja-vidhi)
- [Hartalika Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/teej/info/hartalika-puja-vidhi)
- [Vat Savitri Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/savitri/puja-vidhi/vat-savitri-puja-vidhi)
- [Raksha Bandhan Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/raksha-bandhan/info/raksha-bandhan-puja-vidhi)
- Holi Puja Vidhi
- [Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/ahoi-ashtami/info/ahoi-ashtami-puja-vidhi)
- [Kuber Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/dhanteras/info/kuber-puja-vidhi)
- [Naraka Chaturdashi Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/abhyangsnan/puja-vidhi/naraka-chaturdashi-puja-vidhi)
- [Govardhan Puja Vidhi](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/govardhan-puja/puja-vidhi/govardhan-puja-vidhi)
- [Ganesha Chaturthi 21 Patra Puja](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi/info/ganesha-chaturthi-21-patra)
- [Lord Ganesha 21 Names Puja](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi/info/lord-ganesha-21-names-puja)
- [Lord Ganesha Anga Puja](https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi/info/lord-ganesha-anga-puja)