Holika Dahan

What

Holika Dahan

When

3/28/2021

Where

Hinduism

Holika Dahan is an annual festival which occurs on the eve of the festival of colors, Holi. It is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil within the Hindu faith.

It is often celebrated as a community. A log of wood is kept in a prominent public place almost 40 days before the Holi Festival. Throughout this time people go on throwing twigs, dried leaves and branches which gradually grows into a sizable heap. On this night the heap is set on fire while everyone gathers chanting Mantras to ward off all evil spirits. The Next morning the ashes from the bonfire are collected as prasad and smeared on the body.