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Significance Of Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is a popular ritual followed in the Northern parts of India. The festival of Holi gets its name from this very ritual of Holika Dahan. The phrase Holika Dahan literally means burning Holika.
The Holika Dahan or burning of Holika takes place on the eve of Holi. The day when Holika is burnt is also known as Choti Holi or small Holi. The people create a bonfire on this day and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
We are sure many of you are familiar with the story of Holika. However if some of you do not know about it, then take a look.
DO NOT MISS: Rituals And Traditions Of Holi
Story
Of
Holika
Once
there
was
a
demon
king
named
Hiranyakashipu
who
was
against
the
worship
of
Gods.
Hiranyakashipu
had
a
boon
that
he
would
neither
be
killed
by
a
human
nor
an
animal,
neither
at
night
nor
at
day,
neither
in
his
house
nor
outside,
neither
by
any
arms
nor
ammunition.
After
he
received
this
boon,
Hiranyakashipu
became
arrogant
and
started
believing
that
he
was
invincible.
He
started
treating
everyone
cruelly
and
banned
the
worship
of
Gods
and
Goddesses
in
his
kingdom.
Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlad. Prahlad was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tortured him in every way so that he would stop worshipping Lord Vishnu. But Prahlad was adamant. So, as a last resort Hiranyakashipu summoned his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Holika had a boon that she would never be harmed by fire. So, Holika took Prahlad on her lap and sat on a burning pyre. As she committed an act so sinful, her boon became unfruitful. She was consumed by the fire and Prahlad came out safely.
Thus, the evil was destroyed and faith of the people on God was restored.
Tradition
Of
Holika
Dahan
It
is
stated
in
the
Vedas
that
one
day
before
the
Holikotsav
a
sacred
fire
was
burnt
and
specific
mantras
to
ward
off
evil
were
recited
during
the
burning
ritual.
The
fire
was
burnt
with
the
objective
to
destroy
the
demonic
forces.
Some texts also mention a different version of Holika Dahan. According the texts, the parched cereals and grains are collectively called 'Holka' in Sanskrit. It is believed that the word Holi or Holika is derived from Holka or grains. These parched grains were used to perform 'hawana' or sacred fire . The sacred ash obtained from this fire ritual was known as the Bhumi Hari. This ash was smeared on the forehead of the person participating in the ritual to keep away evil spirits. Till date, this ritual of offering food grains to the bonfire is followed.
Significance
Of
Holika
Dahan
The
preparations
of
Holika
Dahan
start
40
days
before
the
festival.
People
gather
twigs,
logs,
dry
leaves
etc.
Then
on
the
night
of
Phalgun
Purnima,
the
bonfire
is
set
alight
amidst
chanting
of
the
Rakshogana
mantras
which
help
to
ward
off
evil
spirits.Next
morning
the
ashes
of
the
fire
are
collected
and
smeared
on
the
body
before
taking
a
bath.
The burning of Holika signifies the triumph of good over evil and that the bad forces around you can never win if you have a strong will. Holika represents the negative forces which get burnt against the strong will of human which is denoted by Prahlad.
Hence, Holika Dahan forms a crucial part of the Holi celebrations.
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