This year, the Holi festival is being marked by a rare combination of Bhadra and a total lunar eclipse, causing confusion among people. Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 2nd, while the total lunar eclipse will occur on Dhulandi, March 3rd. Nine hours before the eclipse, the Sutak period will begin, during which auspicious activities and temple visits are prohibited. According to Astrologer Dr. Anish Vyas, Director of the Pal Balaji Astrology Institute, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Holi will be celebrated on March 2nd and 3rd.

On the first day, Monday, March 2nd, Holika Dahan will be held, with two parts: 12 minutes will be available in the evening, followed by 1 hour and 10 minutes at midnight. The following day, Tuesday, March 3rd, Dhulandi will be celebrated, and people will play with colors. This time, the lunar eclipse will occur on Holi, making this festival even more rare and special. People will plan their celebrations keeping in mind the eclipse and auspicious timing.
The Bhadra period will begin today at 5:56 pm.

Astrologer Dr. Anish Vyas stated that the Bhadra period will begin on March 2nd at 5:56 pm and will last until 5:28 am on March 3rd. This year, Bhadra is observed in the Earth and Leo zodiac sign, so Holika Puja and Dahan during the Pradosh period will be in accordance with the scriptures and best. Holika Puja on the full moon day of the Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month holds special significance. Charity can also be performed during the Bhadra period. The astrologer stated that this time Holi will be celebrated under the shadow of a lunar eclipse.

The lunar eclipse will begin on March 3rd at 3:20 pm and end at 6:48 pm. The moon will rise in Jaipur at 6:29 pm, and the eclipse will end at 6:48 pm, resulting in a mere 18-minute period. The eclipse's Sutak period will begin at 6:20 am on Tuesday. The eclipse will occur in the Purva Phalguni nakshatra and the Leo zodiac sign, and will be visible in India. Due to the lunar eclipse, it will be auspicious to perform Holika Dahan a day earlier on March 2nd. Thus, the festival of colors will be celebrated on March 3rd.

Holika Dahan Timing
Astrologer and horoscope analyst Dr. Anish Vyas stated that performing Holika Dahan on the full moon day of Phalguna Shukla Paksha during the Pradosh period, without Bhadra, is considered scripturally appropriate. The full moon date of Phalguna Shukla Paksha will begin at 5:56 pm on March 2nd, 2026, and end at 5:07 pm on March 3rd, 2026. Since the full moon will occur during the Pradosh period, Holika Dahan will occur on Monday, March 2nd, 2026. On this day, Bhadra will be in the Bhumlok (southwest corner inauspicious) from 5:56 pm to 5:28 am, which is completely undesirable.

Pradosh Kaal is the best time for Holika Dahan.
According to Dharmasindhu, Holika Dahan is best during Pradosh Kaal, between 6:24 pm and 6:36 pm on Monday, March 2, 2026. Bhadra Puchch will last from 1:23 am to 2:34 am, during which Holika Dahan can be performed as per tradition, but never after Bhadra ends. If Bhadra continues beyond Nishith Kaal (excluding Bhadra Mukha), Holika Dahan should be performed during Bhadra Kaal (Bhadra Puchch or Pradosh). On March 2, 2026, Bhadra and Bhadra Puchch will prevail beyond Nishith Kaal. Pradosh Kaal is the best time for Holika Dahan.

Only 12 minutes will be available for Holika Dahan.
Astrologer and horoscope analyst Dr. Anish Vyas explained that the full moon date will begin at 5:56 pm on March 2nd and will last until 5:07 pm the next day, March 3rd, when there will be no sunset. Therefore, Pradosh Kaal will not be applicable. Therefore, Holika Dahan will be best performed between 6:24 pm and 6:36 pm on Monday, March 2nd, while Dhulandi will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 3rd. It is also noteworthy that the lunar eclipse will begin at 3:20 pm on March 3rd and will end at 6:48 pm.

The lunar eclipse will not have any effect on Dhulandi.
Astrologist and horoscope analyst Dr. Anish Vyas explained that the scriptures prescribe that Holika Dahan be performed on the Falgun Shukla Pradosh Vyapini Purnima, free from Bhadra. This time, the full moon will begin on Monday, March 2nd, at 5:56 pm, on Falgun Shukla Chaturdashi, and will last until 5:08 pm on March 3rd. Therefore, since the full moon will occur during Pradosh Kaal on March 2nd, Holika will be celebrated on Monday, March 2nd. Bhadra will last from 5:56 pm on this day until 5:32 am on Tuesday the next day. A lunar eclipse will also be visible on March 3rd, which will not affect Dhulandi.

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