Choti Holi 2026 Date: Holika Dahan, also known as Choti Holi, is celebrated on the evening of Phalguna Purnima, the night before Holi, the festival of colors, or Dhulendi. Choti Holi is one of the major Hindu festivals and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil. On this auspicious day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu and, in the evening, burn Holika, offering prayers, and wish Holi to their family and loved ones. This year, people are quite confused about the date of Holika Dahan, but there's no need to worry, as we'll clear it up for you today.

March Purnima 2026: Date and Time
Purnima Tithi Starts – Monday, March 2, 5:55 PM
Purnima Tithi Ends – Tuesday, March 3, 5:07 PM
The day of Phalguna Purnima, which is during the Pradosh period and is free from Bhadra, is considered the best time for Holika Dahan. In such a situation, the full moon date is only until 5:07 am on March 3rd, but the Phalguna Purnima, which extends throughout Pradoshkaal, is on March 2nd. Therefore, burning Holika on Monday, March 2nd, is highly auspicious.

When is Holika Dahan?
As we have already mentioned, Holika Dahan can be performed either on March 2nd without the full moon date, or between 5:30 am and 6:23 am on March 3rd. Holika Dahan, or the festival of Holi, will be celebrated throughout Braj, including Mathura and Vrindavan, on March 2nd. Holi, the festival of colors, is played on the Pratipada date of the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month, and this time, this auspicious date is on March 4th.

Bhadra Kaal on Chhoti Holi
Bhadra Kaal begins – Monday, March 2, at 5:58 pm
Bhadra Kaal ends – Tuesday, March 3, at 5:30 am
On March 2, Bhadra Mukha will be from 2:38 am to 4:34 am. Therefore, it will be auspicious to burn Holika on March 2.

Lunar Eclipse on March 3
Holika Dahan will be performed in many places on March 3, but this day is also a lunar eclipse. The lunar eclipse will begin at 3:20 pm and end at 6:47 pm. The full moon date will also end before that.

Why is Holi celebrated?
Chhoti Holi has great religious significance in Hinduism. According to Hindu beliefs, Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashipu, was blessed with the boon of not being burnt by fire. Holika was burned in the fire, while her nephew Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was saved by God's grace. This day is considered auspicious for burning all evil forces. This day is also celebrated as Holika Dahan, where fires are lit at various places in the evening. People perform puja there and then burn Holika.

Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi
According to the Gregorian calendar, Holi is usually celebrated in the month of Phalgun in February or March. Holika Dahan should not be performed during the Bhadra period. People perform puja together with their family and friends. This sacred fire symbolizes the burning of all evil forces, such as Holika. People worship Lord Vishnu with true devotion and chant powerful mantras around the fire. Dry coconut, cloves, black pepper, camphor, green cardamom, havan samagri, yellow mustard seeds, lotus seeds, unbroken rice grains, and other sacred items are offered into this fire. Choti Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, and people join their family, friends, and neighbors in the Holika Dahan and circumambulation of the fire. This day symbolizes the victory of good over evil and righteousness over unrighteousness.

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