Holika Dahan 2026: Is It on March 2 or 3? Know Exact Date, Timings and Lunar Eclipse Details

Holika Dahan will be observed on March 2 in 2026, while Holi will be celebrated on March 4. Holika Dahan, also known as Choti Holi, will be celebrated on March 2, 2026. The festival is observed on the evening of Phalguna Purnima, the full moon day of Falgun, a night before Holi or Dhulendi. It marks the victory of good over evil and holds religious significance in Hinduism.

According to the Hindu calendar, Purnima Tithi will begin at 5:55 PM on Monday, March 2 and end at 5:07 PM on Tuesday, March 3.

The Phalguna Purnima Tithi will be Pradosh Kaal-wide on March 2. As Holika Dahan should be performed on Phalguna Purnima when it is not Bhadra, March 2 is considered extremely auspicious for the ritual.

Holika Dahan can also be performed between 5:30 AM and 6:23 AM on March 3. However, the main observance will take place on March 2 across Braj, including Mathura and Vrindavan.

Bhadra Kaal will begin at 5:58 PM on March 2 and end at 5:30 AM on March 3. On March 2, Bhadra Mukha will be from 2:38 AM to 4:34 AM. Holika Dahan should not be performed during Bhadra period.

A lunar eclipse will also occur on March 3. The eclipse will begin at 3:20 PM and end at 6:47 PM. The full moon day will end before that.

Holi, the festival of colors, is played on the Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Chaitra. In 2026, this falls on March 4.

According to Hindu mythology, Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika was blessed with a boon that she would not be burned by fire. However, Holika was burned to death, while Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was saved. The day commemorates the triumph of devotion and righteousness.

On Holika Dahan, devotees worship Lord Vishnu and light bonfires in the evening. People gather with family and friends to perform puja and offer dry coconut, cloves, black pepper, camphor, green cardamom, havan samagri, yellow mustard seeds, lotus seeds, and rice grains into the sacred fire. Devotees circumambulate the fire and pray for prosperity and well-being.

The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm across the country.