Holi is one of the most popular festivals in India which everybody waits for. Every year this festival comes in the month of Falgun and we also referred to as the festival of colours. This year Holi is going to be celebrated on Tuesday, 7th March. So let's understand the few facts and rituals of this auspicious festival.

When is Holi celebrated in 2023?

Holi confirms the closing of the winter season. As per the Hindu calendar, Holi is celebrated on the last full moon day or Purnima in the month of Falgun. It comes in the month of February-March as per the English calendar. On this festival, people play with colours and share happiness.

The Story of Holi Festival

As per the Hindu legends, the demon king Hiranyakashipu and his sister Holika were given the boon of being immortal and that no one in the universe could kill him. His own son Prahlada was a true devotee of God Vishnu and out of angst, Hiranyakashipu tried to kill his son but failed. Finally, he sought rescue under his sister, Holika. He ordered his son Prahlada to sit in the lap of Holika on the fire. Miraculously, Prahlada was saved by Lord Vishnu while Holika was burned into ashes. Thus, Holi is a symbol of the 'good' over the 'bad'.

Holi also remembers the love and romance that existed between God Krishna and Radha. There are quite a few tales that speak about the various 'Ras-Leelas' that took place in the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan between Krishna and Radha during Holi. It is considered that on this day Lord Shiva annihilated Kamadeva, the God of love.

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Holi Date in 2023

If we talk about 2022 then it is going to be celebrated on Tuesday, 7th March. Let’s read about the auspicious time of Puja Muhurat of this festival.

Holi Puja Muhurat 2023

Muhurat of Holikadahan: 21:03–22:13 on March 7th, Tuesday

Rangwali Holi (Dhulandi): Wednesday, 8th March 2023

Purnima Tithi Begins: 13:25 on March 06th

Purnima Tithi Ends: 12:45 on March 07th

Rituals of Holi 2023

On Holi, people play with colours and water, applying 'gulal' on each other's face. These colours are generally made with natural components that include neem, kumkum, turmeric and flower extracts. Large bonfires are lit in the evening and cow dung cakes, wood, ghee, milk and coconuts are burned into the fire for worship. This is also called as Holika Dahan. Everyone danced, sing and feast with their families and friends and in the agricultural background, Holi is also a symbol for a new harvest season - Rabi. Fairs such as 'Holi Melas' are held in different cities in Uttar Pradesh and some other parts of North India. In Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Doljatra in which young girls dressed up in white and saffron clothes, decorated with garlands and flowers, sing and dance to folk songs. During this festival, perfumed colour powder known as 'abir' are scattered all around that is a symbol of joy and happiness. Special sweets like malpua, kheer and Basanti Sandesh are cooked on this occasion.

In the regions of Karnataka, the folk dance style 'Bedara vesha' native to Holi is performed with enthusiasm. While in Tamil Nadu, Holi is celebrated as Panguni Uthram. It is a belief that on this day Rama-Sita, Shiva-Parvati and Muruga-Devsena got married. Also, Mahalakshmi Jayanthi is celebrated that remembers the incarnation of Mahalakshmi from an ocean of milk.

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