Holashtak is an inauspicious period of eight days before the Holi festival for certain Hindu communities in North India. It is considered inauspicious to perform auspicious ceremonies during the period like marriage, housewarming, or any of the sanskars. People of certain communities also avoid starting new businesses etc. The day is considered ideal for performing Dhaan – almsgiving.
Holashtak 2021 Date: When will Holashtak start?
Holashtak 2021 dates are – Holashtak begins on March 22, Monday, and ends on March 28, Sunday. The period from the Ashtami date of the Shukla paksha of Falgun mas(month) to Holika Dahan is called Holatak in the Scriptures.
The last day of Holashtak, that is, Falgun Purnima is the day for the observance of Holika Dahan in most of the regions. In the Gregorian calendar, Holashtak falls during the months of mid-February to mid-March. Holashtak is celebrated with full enthusiasm in Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and other regions of North India.
Ashtami Tithi timing: March 21, 7:10 am – March 22, 9:00 am
What rituals are avoided during Holashtak?
Auspicious ceremonies like marriages, child naming ceremonies, housewarming, and any other 16 Hindu Sanskars or rituals are avoided during this period.
- Marriage
- Mundan
- House Warming
- Starting construction of the new house
- New Business
- New Vehicle
- Buying anything new
Auspicious rituals are avoided during Holashtak due to the fact that during the period of Holashtak, Hindu planets like the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, and Venus undergo transformations.
