When is Holi 2024—March 24th or March 25th? Date, Timings, and Other Details
Experience the joy of Holi, symbolising the victory of good over evil and the onset of spring. The festival is celebrated annually on Falgun's full moon day.
image for illustrative purpose
Holi 2024: A Festival of Vibrant Colours
Holi, known as the Festival of Colours, carries profound importance within Hindu traditions. It occurs annually on the full moon day of the Falgun month, symbolising the victory of righteousness over malevolence and the arrival of the spring season. The celebrations begin with Holika Dahan, a ritual where a bonfire is lit to represent the triumph of good over the evil demon, Holika. This significant day is marked by enthusiastic celebrations with colorful powders, known as 'gulal', and a jubilant atmosphere.
When is Holi 2024 Celebrated?
The full moon of the Falgun month, according to the Hindu Panchang, starts on March 24 at 9:54 AM and concludes on March 25 at 12:29 PM. Holika Dahan will be observed on March 24, Sunday, with auspicious timings from 11:13 PM to 12:27 AM. Subsequently, Holi festivities will take place on March 25, Monday.
Celebrations of Holi in Different Regions
Holi, the festival beginning the onset of spring, is celebrated with unique traditions across India. In Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa region, festivities peak with Rangpanchami, observed five days post-Holi, attracting even greater excitement than the holi festival itself. The Braj area immerses itself in the vibrant spirit of Holi with unmatched zeal.
Barsana is renowned for its distinctive Lathmar Holi, creating a lively spectacle, whereas the celebrations in Vrindavan and Mathura extend over a remarkable 15-day period, showcasing the rich cultural heritage. In Maharashtra, the festival is marked by the play of dry colors on the day of Rang Panchami. While Haryana names its celebration Dhulandi, embedding local flavours into the tradition.
Moreover, Holi stands as the principal festival among the Adivasis of South Gujarat. The day is celebrated with traditional folk songs in Chhattisgarh. And the Bhagoria festival in Malwa adds another layer to the multifaceted Holi celebrations across India.
How to Conduct Puja of Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan, or Choti Holi, is a significant ceremony held on the eve of Holi, symbolising the triumph of goodness over malevolence. This tradition is steeped in Hindu culture and religion, featuring the lighting of a bonfire to represent the destruction of the demon Holika, a key figure in Hindu mythology.
The Holika Dahan preparations start about a week prior to the event. This includes crafting idols of Bhakt Prahlad and Holika out of cow dung for the puja ceremony. The puja itself involves offering a variety of items such as rice, cotton threads, fresh flowers, turmeric powder, flower garlands, coloured powder (gulal), moong dal (split green gram), coconuts, and traditional sweets such as batasha.
Following the puja, devotees walk around (circumambulate) the bonfire, a ritual act showing respect and seeking blessings. The remains of the fire, particularly the ashes, are considered auspicious and believed to offer protection and prosperity to those who partake in this ritual.
Holika Dahan ritual is more than just a religious event. It's a cultural celebration that embodies the hopeful and vibrant spirit of spring. It sets the stage for the next day's Holi festivities, where communities come together to play with colours, share joy, and celebrate life's victories, big and small.
