Holi 2023: Holi generally comes in the month of february or march. This year, it falls on March 8. Holi celebrations begin on the eve of Holi with Holika Dahan. Here know the date, timing, history, significance and celebrations of the festival of colours.
Holi, the festival of colours is finally here. Hindus celebrate this festival with much pomp and show. It is the second most prominent festival of Hindus after Diwali. It generally comes in the month of february or march. This year, Holi falls on March 8, 2023 (Wednesday). Its celebrations begin a day before with a Holika Dahan which signifies the triumph of good over evil.
Holika Dahan or Choti Holi is celebrated by lighting a bonfire on the eve of Holi. People get together around the bonfire and perform puja and rituals. Holi celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna.
Holi 2023:- Date and Timings
Holika Dahan 2023 Date:- March 7
Holi 2023 Date:- March 8
Holika Dahan muhurata:- 06:24 PM to 08:51 PM on March 7, 2023
Purnima tithi begins:- 04:17 PM on Mar 06, 2023
Purnima tithi ends:- 06:09 PM on Mar 07, 2023
Holi 2023:- History
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna’s complexion was dark but Radha Rani was very fair. Lord Krishna used to complain to her mother Yashoda about his skin complexion. So one day Yashoda playfully suggested Krishna to smear Radha’s face with colour to remove the difference in their complexion. Lord Krishna did the same and the festival of colours started celebrating all over the country. That’s the reason, Holi is celebrated with much pomp in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Another story associated with Holi is of demon king Hiranyakashipu, his son Prahalad and demoness Holika. The Demon King Hiranyakashipu had a boon that neither man nor any animal could kill him. He considered himself immortal and wanted people to worship him. His son Prahalad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and he refused to worship his father.
In anger, Hiranyakashipu said his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. For this purpose the pyre was lit and Holika took Prahalad in her lap and sat on it. Holika had a boon that fire couldn’t burn her but she forgot that it would work only if she went into the fire alone. At that time Prahalad was praying to Lord Vishnu. So, there was no harm to Prahalad and Holika got burnt because of her evil mind.
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It is also believed that Lord Vishnu came on the earth to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu by taking the avatar of Narasimha – half man and half lion. He killed demon and put an end to the evil. That’s why Holi is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil.
Holi 2023:- Significance and Celebrations
Holi celebrations begin on the eve of Holi with Holika Dahan. People light bonfire which signifies the win of good over evil. On the next day, people wake up early in the morning to celebrate the festival of colours. They dress up in white and smear colours on each other.
Children fill their pichkaris and balloons with water and through on each other. People exchange gifts and sweets with their relatives and friends. Special delicacies such as Gujiya and Thandai is also prepared on this day.
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