Holika Dahan 2026: Every year, Holi is played with colors across the country on the Pratipada date of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month. A day before this, Holika Dahan is performed on the full moon day of Phalgun month. This year Phalgun Purnima will be celebrated on 03 March. Holika Dahan will take place on this day. The festival of colors is celebrated this year on the next day i.e. 4th March. Now there are not many days left for Holi, but do you know that Holika Dahan and Holi started from Hardoi?
Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh is mythologically considered to be the capital of demon king Hiranyakashipu, from where the tradition of Holika Dahan and Holi is associated. Even today, the place is present here, where Prahlad was sitting in the lap of Holika and Holika was burnt to ashes in the fire. Here the palace of devotee Prahlad’s father Hiranyakshipu converted into a mound and the evidence of Holika Dahan along with Lord Narasimha incarnation can be seen even today.
Narasimha Lord Temple is more than 5000 years old
There is a temple of Lord Narasimha in Hardoi which is more than 5000 years old. The ruins of ‘Prahlad Ghat’ and Hiranyakshipu’s palace can still be seen here. The old name of Hardoi was Haridrohi. Since Hiranyakashipu considered Lord Vishnu as his enemy. According to beliefs, it was at the ‘Prahlad Ghat’ here that Hiranyakshipu’s sister Holika tried to burn Vishnu devotee Prahlad, but she herself got burnt to ashes.
Narasimha incarnation and killing of Hiranyakashipu
After the survival of Vishnu devotee Prahlad and the burning of Holika, people here celebrated by blowing ashes. After the incident of Holika Dahan, Hiranyakashipu had called the devotee Prahlad in the meeting and tried to kill him by tying him to a pillar, but then Lord Shri Hari in the incarnation of Narasimha, honoring the boon of Lord Brahma, by placing his feet on the threshold by tearing the same pillar, killed Hiranyakashipu with his nails.
Also read: Rangbhari Ekadashi 2026: Rangbhari Ekadashi is special in Kashi, here blessings of both Shiva and Vishnu are showered.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.