Holika Dahan Muhurat

Holika Dahan is the bonfire on Phalguna Purnima that marks the victory of devotion over evil: Holika, who sat in the fire to burn Prahlad, was burnt herself while Vishnu saved him. Rangwali Holi, the festival of colours (Dhulandi), is played the next day.

The fire is lit after sunset, in Pradosh Kaal, while Purnima lasts, and never during Bhadra, the inauspicious first half of Purnima. If Bhadra ends before midnight, the dahan waits until it is over; if it lasts past midnight, its punchha (tail) may be used, or else Pradosh, but never its mukha (mouth). And when the next day's Purnima lasts three and a half prahars, the dahan moves to that evening.

These are the classical rules from Dharmasindhu. Before the fire is lit, families offer new grain, coconut and water, and walk around the pyre.

Times for Indian cities are Indian Standard Time; times abroad are local time. They match established panchangs to within a minute or two. For a city not listed, the nearest city is usually within a few minutes.