Holika Dahan 2026 Date: March 2 Or March 3, When Is Chotti Holi? Know Muhurat Timing And Significance

There is a huge confusion on when Holika Dahan will be celebrated across India. RBI has announced a bank holiday in some cities on March 2nd but the majority of cities are closed on March 3rd or March 4th for Holi. Many cities have declared a public holiday to celebrate the main Holi in the next two days, depending upon the rituals of Holika Dahan.

When Is Holika Dahan?

Holika Dahan 2026 Date:

As per Drik Panchang, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 3, aligning with the first Chandra Grahan (lunar eclipse) of the current year. Accordingly, the colorful or rangwali holi will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Holika Dahan 2026 Muhurat Timings:

Bhadra Punchha - 01:25 AM to 02:35 AM

Bhadra Mukha - 02:35 AM to 04:30 AM

Meanwhile, Holika Dahan during Pradosh without Udaya Vyapini Purnima

Purnima Tithi Begins - 05:55 PM on Mar 02, 2026

Purnima Tithi Ends - 05:07 PM on Mar 03, 2026

How Is Holika Dahan Muhurta Decided?

According to Drik Panchang, the first preference to get Holika Dahan Muhurta is during Pradosh while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing and Bhadra is over. If Bhadra prevails during Pradosh but it ends before midnight then Holika Dahan should be done after Bhadra is over. If Bhadra is getting over after midnight then only Holika Dahan should be done in Bhadra and preferably during Bhadra Punchha. However one should avoid Bhadra Mukha and in no condition Holika Dahan should be done in Bhadra Mukha.

Holika Dahan 2026 Significance:

Holika Dahan is also called as chotti holi where devotees carry bornfire, which signifies the burning of demoness - Holika. This symbolises the victory of good over evil.

It is being known that Holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, a daitya king of the asuras in the Puranas. As per the legends, Holika had received a boon which made her vulnerable to fire. Despite this, she had schemed against her own nephew, Prahlada, who was known as the staunch devotee of deity Vishnu. She put young Prahlada on her lap in a bornfire. But Prahlada had favour in the eye of Vishnu and was eventually saved in the bornfire. No harm came to him, but Holika was immolated.

Since then, Holika Dahan is celebrated as a defeat to evil doings or evil.

In other regions of India such as the southern parts, the occasion is celebrated as Kama Dahanam where lord Shive burned Kamadeva into ashes with his third eye.

The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India, East India, Assam, Nepal, and parts of South India in keeping with this tradition. Further, Holika Dahan marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, a time of renewal and rejuvenation in nature, symbolizing new beginnings and the arrival of a fresh season, as per Wikipedia.