Holika Dahan is the burning of holika and holika is considered as devil. Holi is celebrated as it is the death of Holika in order to save Prahlad by Vishnu. In initial days, people use to contribute a piece of wood or two for the Holika bonfire, and this represents Holika killing her brother Hiranya Kashipu. This is usually celebrated a night before the day of holi. Burning of holika is the main event of this day. This year, India will witness this on the March 1, 2018. This is usually done when the sunset takes place. This year it will take place in the evening of March 1, 2018.
People week before start collecting the woods and combustible materials for the bonfire. As the sunset takes place, the holika puja is performed. This puja signifies the victory of good over the evil. People usually perform this puja with zeal and enthusiasm, they dance and sing the holi songs around the bonfire. There are many reasons for the celebration of this. Some says that as Vishnu entered holika was burnt. Holika was given power by Brahma that no harm will be caused to her by the fire. Lord Vishnu saved the brother of holika as she was misusing the power.
On this day people light bonfires to commemorate Prahlad’s victory over his evil father and aunt. His father was very cruel, he wanted everyone to worship him. He even wants his son to worship him but his son disagreed to worship him and he continued praying to Lord Vishnu. For taking revenge, he asked his sister to take his son and burnt him in the fire. But due to the dedication of his son, Lord Vishnu saved him and as a punishment holika was burnt. Many sweets are served on the day of holi. This marks the end of evilness.
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