Mayur Pankh — cosmic peacock featherAdhyatmas

🪔 Hindu Festival · Phalguna Maas

Holi 2026

होली

Also known as: Festival of Colours · Festival of Spring · Rangwali Holi · Phagwah

Date 2026

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Tithi

Phalguna Purnima

Duration

2 Days

Holika Dahan

3 March (Tuesday)

What is Holi?

Holi celebrates the victory of devotion and good over evil, through the story of Prahlad and his evil aunt Holika. It also celebrates the divine love of Radha and Krishna, who played Holi with colours in Vrindavan. It marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season.

📖 Source: Bhagavata Purana — story of Prahlad and Holika; also associated with Krishna and Radha's Holi in Vrindavan

How to Celebrate Holi — Rituals

  • 🪔Holika Dahan (bonfire) on the eve of Holi — burning of evil symbolising Prahlad's devotion
  • 🪔Rangwali Holi — playing with gulal (dry colours) and coloured water
  • 🪔Singing folk songs (Holi ke geet, Fagwa)
  • 🪔Eating traditional sweets like gujiya, mathri, and thandai
  • 🪔Visiting temples, especially Radha-Krishna temples
  • 🪔Forgetting past grudges and celebrating with all

Regional Variations

mathura vrindavan

Week-long celebrations; Lathmar Holi at Barsana where women playfully beat men with sticks

west bengal

Dol Purnima — idol of Krishna is placed on a swing and devotees apply colour

gujarat

Holi is celebrated as Rangpanchami five days after the main day

punjab

Hola Mohalla — a Sikh tradition with martial arts displays at Anandpur Sahib

Associated Deities

🦚 krishna💛 radha🌀 vishnu🙏 prahlad

Sacred Places

🪔 mathura🌸 vrindavan🎨 barsana

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ When is Holi 2026?
Holi 2026 is on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Holika Dahan (the bonfire night) is on March 3, 2026 (Tuesday).
❓ Why is Holi celebrated?
Holi celebrates the victory of devotee Prahlad over his evil aunt Holika, symbolising good over evil. It also marks the playful Holi of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, and the arrival of spring.
❓ What is Holika Dahan?
Holika Dahan is the bonfire lit on the eve of Holi, representing the burning of Holika who tried to kill Prahlad. It symbolises the destruction of evil and the triumph of devotion.
❓ Where is Holi celebrated most vibrantly?
Mathura and Vrindavan (UP) are famous for their week-long Holi celebrations. Barsana's Lathmar Holi, where women beat men with sticks, is a unique tradition drawing thousands of visitors.

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