Holi is a popular Hindu festival celebrated with great excitement all over India. It is also known as the ‘Festival of Colours’, ‘Dol Jatra’, or ‘Basanta Utsav’ in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. Traditionally, it falls in late February or early March on the Gregorian calendar. Holi signifies the arrival of spring and the end of winter, and it usually happens during the full moon or Purnima in the Hindu month of Phalguna.
During Holi, people gather together, forget their differences, and enjoy the brighter moments of life. It is a time of joy and happiness for everyone. As we look forward to celebrating Holi in 2024, let’s learn more about the festival’s date, time, customs, and significance in India.
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Holi 2024 Date and Time
Holi, a significant festival in the Hindu calendar, is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Falgun. This year, Holi will be observed on Monday, March 25, 2024. The day before Holi, known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, will be celebrated on Sunday, March 24.
According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings for Holi are as follows: the Purnima Tithi, or the full moon phase, begins at 09:54 AM on March 24, 2024, and ends at 12:29 PM on March 25, 2024. These timings are significant for performing rituals and festivities associated with the festival.
| Date | Event | Time |
| March 24, 2024 | Purnima Tithi Begins | 09:54 AM |
| March 25, 2024 | Purnima Tithi Ends | 12:29 PM |
Holi is a joyful occasion when people come together to celebrate the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is marked by vibrant colors, music, dancing, and the sharing of sweets and delicacies. Families and communities gather to play with colored powders and water, spreading happiness and harmony. Overall, Holi is a time for renewal, forgiveness, and the strengthening of bonds among loved ones.
Holi History (History of Holi)
The colorful festival of Holi is inspired by stories from Hindu mythology. One such tale is that of Hiranyakashipu and Prahlad. According to the legend, Prahlad was a devoted disciple of Lord Vishnu, but his father Hiranyakashyap harbored evil intentions. Hiranyakashyap’s sister, Holika, had a boon that made her immune to fire. She planned to use this power to kill Prahlad by tricking him into sitting on her lap while she sat in a raging fire.
To everyone’s surprise, the fire did not harm Prahlad, instead, it engulfed Holika. This event symbolizes the victory of good over evil, which is celebrated on the first day of Holi known as Holika Dahan.
In certain regions like Mathura and Vrindavan, Holi is also celebrated as a festival of love, particularly the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. These stories add depth and meaning to the joyous festivities of Holi, making it a time of reflection, celebration, and unity.
Holi 2024 Significance
Holi holds significant importance in Hinduism and is one of its key celebrations. During this festival, Hindus come together with immense joy and excitement. Holi lasts for two days, starting with Choti Holi followed by Dulhendi, also known as Badi Holi or Rang Wali Holi.
On the eve of Choti Holi, a symbolic bonfire called Holika Dahan is lit. People gather around bonfires, worship Holika, and walk around it seven times. The next day, known as Dulhendi, water and colors are used to celebrate.
People visit each other’s homes, applying bright colors, called Gulal, on each other’s faces as they joyfully celebrate this vibrant festival. Alongside sharing snacks and sweets, they also enjoy music and festivities with their loved ones. Holi brings communities together in a spirit of joy, unity, and celebration.
Holi Wishes
- May your life be filled with vibrant colors and joyful moments this Holi!
- Wishing you and your family a Holi filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness.
- May the festival of colors bring you prosperity and success in all your endeavors.
- Sending you colorful wishes and warm greetings on the occasion of Holi!
- Let’s celebrate the festival of colors with enthusiasm and joy, spreading love and happiness everywhere.
- May the colors of Holi fill your life with brightness and positivity!
- Wishing you a Holi full of sweet moments and fond memories with your loved ones.
- May the vibrant colors of Holi brighten up your life and bring you closer to your dreams.
- May this Holi be as bright as the rainbow and as colorful as your dreams!
- Wishing you a Holi filled with laughter, fun, and unforgettable moments.
- May the festival of colors fill your heart with love and your home with happiness.
- Here’s to a Holi filled with endless joy, laughter, and delicious sweets!
- May the colors of Holi paint your life with happiness and prosperity.
- Wishing you a Holi that’s as bright and colorful as you are!
- May the spirit of Holi bring you closer to your loved ones and strengthen your bonds of friendship.
- May the festival of Holi bring peace, harmony, and goodwill to your life and the world.
- Wishing you a Holi that’s filled with beautiful memories and cherished moments.
- May your life be as vibrant and colorful as the colors of Holi!
- Wishing you a Holi that’s filled with love, laughter, and lots of colorful surprises.
How to do a puja ceremony during Holi?
On the first day of Holi, a puja called ‘Holika Dahan’ is performed. This puja symbolizes the victory of good over evil. To perform this puja, you will need a few items such as raw cotton thread, coconut, Gulal powder, vermilion, akshat (grains of rice), incense sticks, flowers, Natasha (sweets made of sugar powder), turmeric, and a bowl of water.
During the ‘Holika Dahan’ puja, raw cotton threads are tied around a pile of wood three or seven times. Then, Ganga water is sprinkled on the wood along with flowers and vermilion. After that, using a rosary, roli, akshat, batasha, turmeric, Gulal, and coconut, the structure is worshipped.
This puja is a significant part of Holi celebrations and is performed to invoke blessings for happiness, prosperity, and protection from evil forces. It is a time for families and communities to come together, pray, and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
How to Celebrate Holi?
On the morning of Holi, people come together in open spaces, parks, and streets to meet their friends. They laugh and have fun as they apply colorful powders to each other. Holi brings everyone closer together. People from different backgrounds and walks of life join in the celebrations. They hug and show affection to one another. Strangers become friends, and any past disagreements are forgotten.
Besides playing with colors, Holi is also about enjoying tasty food. People indulge in traditional treats like gujiyas, sweet dumplings filled with khoya, and thandai, a refreshing drink made with nuts and spices. The happiness of Holi goes beyond just the colors and food. It is a time for bonding with loved ones and creating joyful memories that last a lifetime.
Also Read: Maha Shivratri 2024: Date, Puja Time, Rituals, Best Wishes, Significance and Celebration
| FAQ – Holi Celebration |
1. What is Holi also known as?
Holi, also called the festival of colors, is a two-day celebration in India. It honors the eternal love between Radha and Lord Krishna. While Holi is celebrated in various ways across India, the main idea remains the same – it’s about rejoicing in the victory of good over evil.
2. Who named Holi?
Holi is named after Holika, the sister of the evil King Hiranyakashyap in Hindu mythology. According to the story, the king tried to stop his son Prahlad from worshipping the Hindu god Vishnu. However, Prahlad continued to worship Vishnu despite his father’s orders.
