Chhoti Holi
TeluguAlso known as: Holika Dahan, Kamadahana

Chhoti Holi
About Chhoti Holi
Chhoti Holi, also known as Holika Dahan, is celebrated the night before the main Holi festival. It involves the ritualistic burning of a bonfire to commemorate the victory of good over evil.
The bonfire represents the burning of demoness Holika, who tried to kill the devotee Prahlad. People gather around the fire, perform rituals, and celebrate the triumph of devotion and righteousness.
In Andhra Pradesh, the evening is marked by community gatherings, devotional songs, and the ritual application of ash from the bonfire as a protective blessing.
Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules
Chhoti Holi involves evening rituals and the lighting of the Holika bonfire.
- Gather wood and materials for the bonfire throughout the day.
- Perform puja rituals before lighting the bonfire in the evening.
- Circle the bonfire while chanting prayers.
- Apply the sacred ash from the bonfire as a blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Holika, a demoness, tried to kill her nephew Prahlad (a devotee of Lord Vishnu) by sitting with him in a fire. Holika burned while Prahlad survived, protected by divine grace.
People perform puja, circle the bonfire, offer grains and coconuts into the flames, and collect the sacred ash for protection.
Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.
Recommended Pages
Comprehensive annual Hindu calendar with tithis and festivals.
Detailed month-wise view of lunar tithis and celestial events.
Marathi Panchang and festive dates for the year.
Gujarati Vikram Samvat calendar and festivals.
Telugu calendar and festive Panchangam details.
Tamil solar calendar dates and monthly Panchangam.