Dhoolivandana

festivals

Also known as: Holika Dahana, Chhoti Holi, Dhoolivandana, Vasantotsava

Quick Overview

Date in 2026: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Tithi: Chaitra Krishna Pratipada (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 05:08 PM, Mar 03 to 04:50 PM, Mar 04
Lunar month: Chaitra · Krishna Paksha
Also on this tithi: Holi

Select Calendar Year

2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

Dhoolivandana

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Lunar Month: Chaitra

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:05:08 PM, Mar 03

Tithi Ends:04:50 PM, Mar 04

Dhoolivandana at a Glance

Dhoolivandana is fixed by the lunar calendar to Chaitra Krishna Pratipada, the 1st tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight of Chaitra (Phalguna Krishna Pratipada in the Amanta calendar).

Tithi rule: Chaitra Krishna Pratipada (Purnimanta)Krishna Pratipada Chaitra month
Tithi swami and group: Agni · Nanda Tithi
Also on this tithi: Holi

Panchanga on This Day

Dhoolivandana · Mar 3, 2026

VaaraMangalavara

TithiPurnima Purnima05:56 PM → 05:08 PM

NakshatraMagha07:51 AM → 07:31 AM

YogaDhriti

KaranBava

Lunar MonthPhalguna

Brahma Muhurta05:05 AM → 05:54 AM

Abhijit Muhurta12:10 PM → 12:56 PM

Nishita Muhurta12:08 AM → 12:57 AM

Rahu Kaal03:27 PM → 04:54 PM

New Delhi, IndiaFull Dainik Panchang →

About Dhoolivandana

Holika Dahan, also called Chhoti Holi or Dhoolivandana in some regions, is celebrated on the full moon night (Phalguna Purnima) just before the main Holi festival. It commemorates the burning of Holika, the demoness who tried to destroy the young devotee Prahlad, and it marks the triumph of devotion over tyranny.

The evening is dominated by the lighting of a ritual bonfire built from wood, dry leaves, and cow-dung cakes. Communities gather around the fire to pray, sing, and perform circumambulations, symbolically transferring their troubles and negative energies into the flames. In many regions, the ashes of Holika Dahan are considered protective and are brought home.

The ritual also marks the transition from winter to spring (Vasantotsava). The bonfire's warmth is a farewell to the cold season, while the following day of colours celebrates the renewal of life, love, and community bonds.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Holika Dahan is observed by building a sacred bonfire and performing a protective evening puja during an auspicious muhurat free from Bhadra.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Collect firewood, dry biomass, and cow-dung cakes; arrange them in a pyramid with an effigy or symbolic representation of Holika on top.
Place a small image or token of Prahlad at the base, representing the protection of the Lord's devotee.
Perform the Holika Puja during Pradosh Kaal or another Bhadra-free muhurat; avoid the inauspicious Bhadra period.
Offer raw cotton thread, turmeric, kumkum, coconut, sweets, and grains into the fire while circumambulating the pyre.
After the fire subsides, bring a few embers or ashes home as a blessing; apply a little ash to the forehead for protection.
On the next morning, celebrate the festival of colours with family and friends.

Vrat Katha: The Devotion of Prahlad and the Burning of Holika

Hiranyakashipu, a powerful demon king, demanded that everyone in his kingdom worship him alone. His own son, Prahlad, refused, for his heart was filled with devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Enraged, Hiranyakashipu devised many ways to kill Prahlad—poison, elephants, fire, and sorcery—but each time divine protection saved the boy.

Finally, the king asked his sister Holika, who possessed a magical fireproof shawl, to sit with Prahlad on a blazing pyre. As the fire rose, a divine wind blew the shawl off Holika and wrapped it around Prahlad.

Holika was consumed by the flames, while Prahlad emerged unharmed. Since then, the burning of Holika symbolizes the destruction of evil and the protection of pure devotion.