When is Holi 2024: Date, Panchang, Story, and Significance

Holi 2024: One of the most revered and jubilant festivals in India, Holi, is commemorated with vivid tints of rang (colors). Unity and affection transcending cultural and religious boundaries unite communities during the Holi celebrations, which transcend social strata and religious distinctions. The arrival of spring is emblematic of the victory of righteousness over malevolence; Holi transcends the concepts of kinship, unity, and affection.

List of Indian festivals and holidays for the year 2024

When does Holi take place?

The English calendar designates February or March as the month during which the Holi festival occurs, which coincides with the conclusion of the Falgun (or Phalgun) Purnima, the final day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Falgun. Holika Dahan, which is observed on the eve of Holi, coincides with Falgun Purnima (Sunday, March 24, 2024). Holi is commemorated the following day, Chaitra Krishna Paksha Pratipada (Monday, March 25, 2024). Holi’s Muhurat coincides with the Tithi of Chaitra Krishna Paksha Pratipada. Falgun Purnima signifies the conclusion of winter according to the Hindu calendar, while the Krishna Paksha Pratipada of Chaitra is commemorated with the festival of Holi as the commencement of spring.

Holi is a festival that is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm throughout the nation for two days. On Holika Dahan, a pyre is set ablaze to represent the incineration of the demon. The first day of the festivities, known as “Choti Holi” (Small Holi), celebrates good triumphing over evil through Holika. On the second day of Rangwali Holi, people exchange candy, dip and cover each other in colorful powder, and exchange Holi greetings.

Holi 2024 occurs on Monday, March 25.

There are 2 months and 28 days until the event.

Holika Dahan 2024 occurs on March 24, Sunday, and Holashtak 2024 begins on March 17, Sunday.

Timing of the 2024 Holi Tithi (Chaitra Krishna Pratipada):

Click here to learn the Panchang for Holi, as well as the Tithi (Lunar Day), Vara (Weekday), Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion), Karana (Half of Tithi), and Yoga (the auspicious or inauspicious combination of the Lunar Day and Nakshatra), in Hindi.

The Narrative of Holi

A limited number of anecdotes are thought to have contributed to the origin of the Holi festival.

According to the Bhagvata Puran and the Vishnu Puran, the esteemed King of Demons, Hiranyakashipu, forbade his son Prahlada from paying homage to Lord Vishnu. Nevertheless, despite the admonitions, Prahlada persisted in her fervent devotion and unrestrained allegiance to the deity. Subsequently, an enraged Hiranyakashipu subjected Prahlada to unbearable torment; he even attempted to murder his son. He taunted Prahlada from Ashtami to Purnima during Phalgun, but she was unharmed. The observance of these eight days is known as Holashtak.

Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashipu, was entrusted with the task of eliminating Prahlada. The fact that Holika would never suffer harm or burn to death was a blessing at birth. She coerced, reprimanded, and forcibly compelled Prahlada to rest on her lap while she burned, intending to murder him. However, once more, Lord Vishnu granted Prahlada protection in recognition of his unwavering devotion and faith. He emerged unscathed from the conflagration, whereas Holika, the malevolent entity, perished. The day following this is observed as Holika Dahan, and it is also known as Rangwali Holi or Holi.

As per an alternative legend, a youthful Krishna developed feelings of envy towards Radha’s skin tone. He inquired with Yashodha, his foster mother, as to why Radha had dark skin while he had pale skin. In reply, Yashoda requested him in jest to apply his preferred hues to Radha. Krishna was so ecstatic upon hearing this that he proceeded to daub different hues onto her face, thereby instigating the Holi festival.

According to an additional legend in the Shiv Puran, shortly after Sati was consumed by fire, Lord Shiva entered a trance of meditation. Later reincarnated as Goddess Parvati, she made a marriage proposal to Lord Shiva, but he disregarded her sentiments. As the Deity associated with sensuality and passion, Lord Kama Deva was therefore called upon to incite Lord Shiva’s ardor. During Phalgun Ashtami, to provoke Lord Shiva’s emotions, he directed floral projectiles at him, which disrupted his meditation. As a result of his ire, he directed his third eye towards Kama Deva, igniting him in flames. Rati, the spouse of Lord Kama Deva, beseeched and supplication to Lord Vishnu to resurrect her devotional husband. Due to the pity she elicited from Lord Shiva, he resurrected him from the remains. The day following this is known as the Holika Dahan festival, and it is observed as Holika Dahan.

Regional Celebrations of Holi

Holi is diversely celebrated in different states across the country. Here are nine different traditions of Holi subjected to different states.

1. Lathmaar Holi: The Holi of Sticks in Barsana in Uttar Pradesh signals violence, as indicated in the name Lathmaar. On this day, the women folk greet men with sticks to work and toil for their women and urge men to dance around in feminine clothes, all in the spirit of Holi.
2. Dulandi Holi: Holi in Haryana is known as Dulandi Holi when Bhabi (brother’s wife) makes their brothers-in-law pay for the pranks they played on them for the entire year.
3. Rangpanchami: In Maharashtra, Holi is popularly known as Rangpanchami. The locals also call this festival Shimga or Shimgo. They play with colors on the fifth day, as is in the name, when people indulge in dance, music, and everything merry.
4. Basant Utsav: The people of West Bengal celebrate Holi as Basant Utsav with colors, dance, music, and chanting hymns in serenity to celebrate the arrival of spring.
5. Dol Purnima: In West Bengal, Holi is also observed as Dol Purnima when students wear garlands over saffron-colored clothes and the people sing, dance, and pray to Krishna and Radha in a dignified disposition.
6. Hola Mohalla: Hola Mohalla is a three-day festival celebrated in Punjab as an annual fair, where the Sikhs showcase and prove their physical strength by performing daring acts.
7. Shimgo: In Goa, people celebrate Holi as Shimgo, a festival where people play with colors and prepare Shimgo special dishes, and later indulge in cultural performances.
8. Kaman Pandigai: In Tamil Nadu, people observe Holi as Kaman Pondigal, remembering the sacrifice of Lord Kama Deva on this occasion.
9. Phagu Purnima: Celebrated in Kathmandu, Phagu Purnima is celebrated traditionally. Phagu means sacred red powder and Purnima means Full Moon day.

Important Timings On Holi 2024