Holi 2024 : Unover Some Great Insight Of This Festival
Holi – known to all, is the ancient Hindu festival of colours and love, which is equally enjoyed by old and young. Be prepared to celebrate Holi 2024 on the Monday, 25 March, 2024. According to the Hindu calendar, Holi falls on the Phalguna Purnima that is in the months of February or March.
Importance of Holi Celebrations
The festival of colours is celebrated with great fun and frolic across the country and abroad. On this day, people visit their friends and relatives, and it is considered the best period to resolve conflicts. People play with colours, offer delicacies, and hold music festivals across the globe.
The first day is to commemorate Vishnu bhakta Prahlada’s victory over Holika, the sister of demon king Hiranyakaship. A large bonfire or the pyre of Holika is lit on the fortnight. The next day is celebrated with great fun playing with colours, water sprays, gulaal, and enjoying the Holi special delicacies.
Holi 2024 Date, Muhurat and Timings:
| Festival | Date and Muhurats |
|---|---|
| Holika Dahan Date | Sunday, March 24, 2024 |
| Holika Dahan Muhurat | 11:13 PM to 12:27 AM, Mar 25 |
| Duration | 01 Hour 14 Mins |
| Bhadra Punchha | 06:33 PM to 07:53 PM |
| Bhadra Mukha | 07:53 PM to 10:06 PM |
| Purnima Tithi Begins | 09:54 AM on Mar 24, 2024 |
| Purnima Tithi Ends | 12:29 PM on Mar 25, 2024 |
Story of Holi : Reason Behind celebrating Holi
Many legends exist related to the festival of Holi.
Hiranyakashyap And Prahlad
One of the legends is about Vishnu Bhakta Prahlada, his father Hiranya Kashyap, and his aunt Holika. The sister of Hiranyakashyap i.e. Holika was cruel yet blessed. Prahlad was saved by Lord Vishnu from the evil intentions of King Hiranyakaship and his sister Holika. This legend reaffirms our unwavering faith in God, the ultimate power. It demonstrates that, despite the world’s extremes of sin, evil, and wickedness, truth, devotion, and faith always triumph.
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Lord Shiva's Rage Against Kamdeva
Puranas have one more legend related to Holi. It represents Lord Shiva became enraged as the Lord of Love and Desire, Kaamdev, attempted to strike cupid between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, angry Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt Kaamdev. As a result, people commemorate it by burning items of desire as a symbol of releasing carnal urges. Holashtak is observed for eight days, from the eighth day of the Falgun Shukla Paksha to the Full Moon Day (Purnima). There are no holy ceremonies conducted or auspicious projects/assignments/tasks completed during these eight days.
After Holashtak, the auspicious period begins, which is when most marriages take place. As a result, most marriages are usually successful.
Also Read: 2024 Vivah Muhurat
Fondness of Lord Krishna For Holi
As Holi falls on the day of Phalgun Purnima, worshipping Lord Krishna on this day paves the way for devotees to heaven. Hence, it is one of the crucial reasons that people play with gulaal in Vrindavan especially in temples of Lord Krishna.
Connection Of Lord Hanuman With Holi
Many devotees also worship Lord Hanuman on the day of Holi. It is believed that offering rice with ghee or vermillion to Lord Hanuman can remove the sorrows, troubles, and negativities from life.
If you are still in doubt, book personalised Hanuman pooja for removing negative vibes from life.
Astrological Significance of Holi
Vedic Astrology reveals that on Holi, the Sun and the Moon are on the opposite ends of each other in the sky. The position is auspicious, where the Moon is present in the houses of Leo and Virgo. While the Sun is very much placed in the Pisces and Aquarius. Rahu often transits into the worldly-wise Sagittarius.
Also, Vastu professionals consider it a very auspicious day to perform Vastu Puja. Performing Vastu puja of your home, property, and vehicles during the auspicious period of Holika Dahan and Dhuleti can help to achieve good health and attract positive energies. Amazingly, people often fly kites on this day to worship Pawan devata.
Are the planets in your Kundali not aligned? Get a free janampatri report to know in detail.
Rituals of Holi and Holika Dahan
In order to light the bonfire, days before the Holi festival people start gathering wood, cow dung cake, mala and other old items at the major crossroads of the city. Thus, during the actual celebration, a huge pile of wood is collected.
The celebration of Holika Dahan was held on the eve of Holi with complete holi pooja rituals. As per the legends, Holika sat with his brother’s son – Prahlad – an ardent lord Vishnu bhakt, to destroy him. But, she burnt and died in the process, which marks the victory of Good over EVIL. And thus, the Effigy of Holika is placed in the wood and lighted. It also symbolises the triumph of a true devotee.
Devotees pray and circle around the bonfire performing pujas with the kumkum, rice, coconut, Diya, flowers, dates, and jowar pops or puff bajra to remove negative energy from their life and bring prosperity and growth.
You May Like To Read: Phalgun Purnima 2024
Dhuleti 2024 : Game of Colours
The day after Holika Dhahan is Holi – Duleti, where people smear colours on each other and greet each other with various slogans such as Happy Holi or Holi Hai Bhai Holi Hai. Holi celebrations go on the whole day with people playing with colours, gulal, dancing, playing the drums and eating delicacies. Everyone celebrate this festival of colour with full joy and pomp right from big to small and young to old.
The tradition of playing colours is followed all over India from north to south. On Holi day, people love to spray colour water on each other with pichkaris and smearing colours on each other’s faces. People sing Bollywood holi songs, dance on the beats and even love to enjoy rain dance parties at Holi festival.
Famous Holi Food to Enjoy on Festival of Colours
Famous Holi Dishes
Gujiyas, malpuas, pakoris, dal kachori, pani puri, dahi bhalla, masal puri and masala chana with baked kachori are some of the famous holi delicacies that add a different flavour to the festival.
Famous Holi Drinks
Not just limited to dishes, people also love to relax and enjoy the colourful day by relishing on the famous flavoury drinks like Thandai, lassi, kheer, and jal jeera.
Colouring Down the Day!
In a nutshell, Holi is a special festival for all Indians celebrating it with full fervour and enthusiasm. The fun-filled and eventful day is concluded as people in the evening meet and greet their friends and relatives by sharing and eating sweets and other delicacies. Holi Special parties are also organised to add zest to Holi Day. No doubt, the festival of colours nurtures harmony and brotherhood.
MyPandit wishes everyone a fun-filled, safe, and Happy Holi.