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Pradosh Kaal (evening period after sunset) on Phalguna Purnima is the auspicious time for Holika Dahan
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Collect cow dung cakes, wood logs, and dry twigs. Build a pyre in an open area, placing a wooden post in the center representing Prahlada. Wind raw cotton thread around the pyre.
Place a water pot near the pyre. Arrange kumkum, akshat, flowers, coconut, and other samagri on a thali (plate).
Hold water and akshat in the right hand, state the date, place, and purpose of Holika Dahan, then release the water.
Circumambulate the Holika pyre 3, 5, or 7 times in a clockwise direction, pouring water from the pot in a continuous stream. Apply kumkum and offer akshat to the pyre.
Offer the flower garland to the pyre with prayers to Lord Narasimha for protection, remembering the story of Prahlada's unwavering devotion.
ॐ उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्। नृसिंहं भीषणं भद्रं मृत्योर्मृत्युं नमाम्यहम्॥
oṃ ugraṃ vīraṃ mahāviṣṇuṃ jvalantaṃ sarvatomukham | nṛsiṃhaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ bhadraṃ mṛtyormṛtyuṃ namāmyaham ||
I bow to Lord Narasimha, who is fierce, heroic, the great Vishnu, blazing in all directions, terrifying yet auspicious — the death of death itself.
Light the pyre at the auspicious Pradosh muhurta. As the fire rises, chant the Narasimha mantra and Holika Dahan mantra. The fire symbolizes the burning of evil and the triumph of good.
असृक्पाभयसन्त्रस्तैः कृता त्वं होलि बालिशैः। अतस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूते भूतिप्रदा भव॥
asṛkpābhayasantrastaiḥ kṛtā tvaṃ holi bāliśaiḥ | atastvaṃ pūjayiṣyāmi bhūte bhūtipradā bhava ||
O Holika, you were created by the frightened children (devotees) seeking protection from the blood-drinking demons. Therefore I worship you — O spirit, grant us prosperity.
Offer new harvest grains — wheat, barley, roasted gram — and the whole coconut into the sacred fire. These represent the season's first harvest offered to the divine.
With folded hands, pray to Lord Narasimha and Prahlada: "As Prahlada was protected by his devotion, may all devotees be protected from evil." Recite the Prahlada prayer.
ॐ नमो भगवते महासुदर्शनाय वैष्णवज्वराय। महाज्वालाय सर्वरक्षोघ्नाय सर्वभूतरक्षोघ्नाय। सर्वज्वरघ्नाय दह दह पच पच नाशय नाशय हुं फट् स्वाहा॥
oṃ namo bhagavate mahāsudarśanāya vaiṣṇavajvarāya | mahājvālāya sarvarakṣoghnāya sarvabhūtarakṣoghnāya | sarvajvaraghnāya daha daha paca paca nāśaya nāśaya huṃ phaṭ svāhā ||
Salutations to the great Sudarshana (Lord Vishnu's disc), the Vaishnava fire, the great flame, destroyer of all demons, destroyer of all evil spirits, destroyer of all fevers — burn, burn, cook, cook, destroy, destroy — hum phat svaha!
Once the fire subsides, roast new harvest grains (wheat ears, barley) in the embers. These roasted grains are then shared as prasad among family and neighbors.
Perform aarti of the Holika fire with a ghee lamp. Sing "Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki" — the aarti of Lord Krishna, celebrating the divine play of Holi.
Distribute gujiya, sweets, and roasted grains as prasad among all present. Apply the sacred ash (vibhuti) from the Holika fire on the forehead for protection.
Next morning (Dhulandi / Rang Panchami): Apply gulal and natural colors to each other, dance, sing Holi songs celebrating Krishna's leela with the Gopis in Vrindavan. Use water guns (pichkari) and colored water.