Holika Dahan 2018: Puja Vidhi, Muhurat & Auspicious Timings For Celebrating Chhoti Holi
Holika Dahan is scheduled on March 1 and the Rang Panchami or the splash of colours will be celebrated on March 2, 2018. The duration for Holika Dahan will last for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The festival of colours is here and people all across the nation is gearing up to paint themselves with various colours and throw bright powder in the air. To celebrate the vibrancy and joyful hues all around, individuals play Holi welcome spring season. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Falgun and the festival lasts for two days. The first day of the festivity is known as ‘Holika Dahan’ or chhoti Holi and the second day as Rangwali Holi where people play with beautiful colours. Holika Dahan is scheduled on March 1 and the Rang Panchami or the splash of colours will be celebrated on March 2, 2018.
Holika Dahan Muhurat 2018- Date and Time:
This year Holika Dahan will be performed on March 1 and the main Holi or Rangwali Holi will be celebrated on March 2. The duration for Holika Dahan will last for 2 hours and 30 minutes as the puja muhurat falls at 06:16 pm to 08:47 pm. According to Hindu scriptures, Holika Dahan also known as Holika Deepak or Choti Holi should be performed during the Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while purnimasi tithi is prevailing.
Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi:
It is believed that all sorts of fear can be conquered by doing Holika Puja on Holi. In religious books, Holika Puja is suggested before Holika Dahan. People perform the puja with materials such as a bowl of water, beads made of cow dung, rice, fragrances like agarbatti and dhoop, flowers, turmeric pieces, gulal powder, coconut, etc.
Followers cleans the place where Holika is kept with cow dung and the holy water of river Ganges. Holika pyle is decorated with shields, swords and other toys made of cow dung. So, keep all the puja ingredients on a plate, accompany a small water pot with puja thali and chant the auspicious mantras to do Holi Puja. Once the puja is performed, people gather and burn Holika (bonfire) to mark the death of evil.
Holi is a festival celebrated in great revelry and belief, where citizens of the country decorate the skies and their surroundings in the magnificent colours of joy. So, get your favourite colours, prepare your Holi outfit and get ready for the festival of colours.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 28, 2018 07:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).