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Holi (Dhulandi, Hola Mela, Hola Mohalla)

March 7, 2017

Holi is on 12 March 2017, Sunday! Dhulandi/Vasantotsav is on 13 March 2017, Monday
होली पर्व / त्यौहार, पूर्णिमा, होलाष्टक समाप्त - १२ मार्च, रविवार
सूर्योदय (sunrise): प्रातः ०६:३८ बजे (दिल्ली), प्रातः ०६:४० बजे (जालंधर)
सूर्यास्त (sunset): सायं ०६:२३/१८:२३ बजे (दिल्ली), सायं ०६:३२/१८:३२ बजे (जालंधर)
Holika Dahan Muhurta (होलिका दहन मुहूर्त): 6:23 PM - 8:23 PM / सायं १८:२३ से २०:२३ बजे तक
अवधि / Duration : ०१ घंटे ५९ मिनट / 1 hrs. 59 min.
होला मेला / धुलंडी / वसन्तोत्सव  - १३ मार्च, सोमवार

Holi, or Holli (Sanskrit: होली), is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus mainly, but now its celebrated by almost all Indians. It is chiefly celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and countries with large Indic populations, such as Suriname, Guyana, Malaysia, Trinidad, South Africa, Mauritius, United Kingdom, United States, and Fiji. Holi or Dhulandi has several popular names and is known with diffrent names in several part of India too.  In some parts of India such as West Bengal and Orissa, it is known as Dolyatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav ("spring festival"). The most celebrated and famous Holi is that of the Braj (Brij) region, in locations connected to the god (Lord) Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. Here it's famous as Latthmaar Holi (where men try to colour women and throw water on them while women try to beat them with sticks and men try to save them using dhal /shield made of Leather/wood/bamboo and covered with clothes). Elephant Holi of Jaipur is also very famous and has become a tourist attraction. All these places have become special tourist destinations and during the festive season of Holi they remain crowded with tourists from all over the world. Holi festival in Braj region lasts up to sixteen days.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder known as Gulaal and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, which is known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape of young prince Prahlad when Demoness Holika, sister of King Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire to Kill him. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a devotee of god (Lord) Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in South India.

 

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2018, Holi (Dhulandi) will be on March 2 (Friday) and Holika Dahan will be on March 1 (Thursday). 

 

This Year 2017 Holi Holli (Dhulandi) is on March 13 and Holika Dahan on March 12

Holika Dahan Muhurta 2017 (12th March) / होलिका दहन मुहूर्त २०१७

This year Holika Dahan Muhurta is between 6:23 PM to 8:23 PM.  As per the hindu religious books Holika Dahan should be performed during Pradosh Kaal (प्रदोष काल) i.e after the sunset and while Purnima Tithi (पूर्णिमा तिथि) is still prevailing.  In the first half of Purnima, Bhadra (भद्रा) prevails and as per hindu scriptures no good work is done during Bhadra (भद्रा) hence best time for Holika Dahan (होलिका दहन) is between 18:23 to 20:23 in the evening.

 

Above mentioned criteria is the most common criteria but Holika Dahan Muhurta (होलिका दहन मुहूर्त) is chosen dependent upon emulating guidelines as every year position of stars is different and there are changes in the sunrise, sunset timings and duration of Purnima (पूर्णिमा), Bhadra (भद्रा) etc.

The main inclination to get Holika Dahan Muhurta is throughout Pradosh while Purnimasi Tithi (पूर्णिमा तिथि) is common and Bhadra (भद्रा) is over. In the event that Bhadra last throughout Pradosh however it closes before midnight then Holika Dahan ought to be carried out after Bhadra ((भद्रा)) is over. Assuming that Bhadra is getting over after midnight then just Holika Dahan ought to be carried out in Bhadra and ideally throughout Bhadra Punchha (भद्रा पूँछ). However one may as well escape Bhadra Mukha (भद्रा मुख) and in no condition Holika Dahan ought to be carried out in Bhadra Mukha (भद्रा मुख). It is believed, finishing so carries terrible fortunes for the entire year for people as well as for entire city and nation. At times Bhadra Punchha (भद्रा पूँछ) is not accessible between Pradosh (प्रदोष) and midnight. In such circumstances one might as well do Holika Dahan throughout Pradosh (प्रदोष). In uncommon events when not, one or the other Pradosh (प्रदोष) nor Bhadra Punchha (भद्रा पूँछ) is accessible then one may as well do Holika Dahan after Pradosh (प्रदोष).

Picking right Muhurta for Holika Dahan is more imperative than picking right Muhurta for whatever possible celebrations. For different celebrations doing puja at wrong time won't carry puja benefits however doing Holika Dahan at wrong time might carry enduring and hardship.

 

Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours.


This year, we would be adding a new section for festival recipes soon, where we'll be adding wonderful recipes for different festivals.  These festival recipes will make your celebrations a remembrable moment to cherish your whole life.  Please make sure you sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications and these new wonderful recipes free eBook in your mailbox.




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