Holika Dahan, a ceremony performed on the Phalguna month’s Purnima Tithi (Full Moon night), precedes Holi celebrations. On this day, residents gather in the neighbourhood to light a communal bonfire in honour of Holika. People worship Lord Narasimha, Lord Vishnu’s fourth avatar.

Purpose : It is believed that performing Holika Pooja on Holi will help people overcome their fears. Holika Pooja bestows strength, riches, and prosperity. Holika is said to have been created to protect people from all kinds of terror. As a result, Holika, despite being a Demon, is worshipped alongside Prahlada before Holika Dahan.

Procedure : A bowl of water, cow dung beads, unbroken rice or Akshat, incense stick, Roli, flowers, raw cotton thread, turmeric, unbroken Moong Lentil, Batasha, Gulal Powder, and Coconut are included. On a tray, all of the pooja ingredients are kept. Mantras are chanted while sitting at the puja spot, facing east or north.

The ingredients are given to Holika at the conclusion of the pooja. The Holika is wrapped in three, five, or seven rounds of raw yarn before being burned.

Auspicious Muhurat : Holika dahan is celebrated on the full moon day that is purnima, day before Holi. But the Holika Dahan must be done in the Muhurat as suggested by the pandit.