Holika Dahan 2026: When will Holika Dahan take place, today or tomorrow?

Holika Dahan 2026: This year, there is considerable confusion regarding the date of Holika Dahan. Some say it will be appropriate to burn Holika on March 2nd, i.e. today, while others say it will be on March 3rd. According to astrologers, the Chaturdashi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Phalgun will last until 5:57 pm today, March 2nd. After this, the Purnima Tithi will begin, which will enter Pradosh Kaal. So, let us know which date is appropriate to burn Holika.

Due to the lunar eclipse and Sutak period on March 3rd, Holi will be celebrated on March 4th.

What will be the correct date for Holika Dahan?

According to Astrologer Praveen Mishra, this time it would be appropriate to perform Holika Dahan on March 2nd, i.e. today. Holika Dahan is considered most auspicious during the Pradosh period. Therefore, it would be best to perform Holika Dahan on March 2nd, i.e. today, between 6:22 pm and 8:53 pm. It would be inappropriate to perform Holika Dahan on March 3rd because of a lunar eclipse. The festival of colors, i.e., Dhulandi, will be celebrated on March 4th.

What auspicious time will Holika Dahan take place today, without Bhadra?

According to Astrologer Pandit Ved Prakash Mishra, the full moon day of the Shukla Paksha of the Phalgun month will begin at 5:18 pm on March 2nd and will last until 4:33 pm on March 3rd. Thus, a full moon day will occur on March 2nd, which is the night-long full moon. However, Bhadra begins at 5:18 pm on March 2nd. Therefore, it is considered scripturally appropriate to burn Holika during the Bhadra Poonch period, from 12:50 am to 2:02 am, bypassing the Bhadra Mukha period.

Can Holika Dahan also be performed on March 3rd?

In fact, other astrologers have also expressed their opinions regarding the date of Holika Dahan. Among them, Haridwar's renowned Pandit Manoj Tripathi explained the correct date for Holika Dahan. According to him, on March 2nd, there is a full moon during Pradosh Kaal and the moon will rise in the evening, but Bhadra will also be in effect at that time, which is not considered auspicious. On March 3rd, there is no Bhadra, but the full moon will not be present during Pradosh Kaal on that day, as the full moon date is ending. Therefore, considering all the rules, it is believed that burning Holika during the Bhadra-free period on March 3rd would be more appropriate. Even though the Pradosh period is not available on that day, the scriptures permit it because of the full moon in the morning.

Why will Holi be celebrated on March 4th?

Although, according to astrologers, Holi is celebrated the day after Holika Dahan. However, this year, the first lunar eclipse of the year will occur on March 3rd, the day after Holika Dahan. Due to the lunar eclipse and the Sutak period on March 3rd, Holi will not be possible on that day. Therefore, Rangbhari Holi will be celebrated on March 4th.

This lunar eclipse will begin at 3:21 pm on March 3rd and will last until 6:46 pm, and will be visible in India as well. The Sutak period of this lunar eclipse, which will occur on the evening of March 3rd, will begin at 6:20 am and will last until 6:46 pm. Therefore, Rangbhari Holi will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.

Summary

This lunar eclipse on March 3rd will be visible in India as well as in East Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the Americas. Therefore, it will be appropriate to celebrate Holi on March 4th, 2026, throughout India.