Holika Dahan 2020: Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi and Narasimha Mantra

A day before the festival of Holi, families and neighbours get together for Holika Dahan, a ritual that symbolises the victory of the good over the evil. Holika is a bonfire that represents demon King Hiranyakashipu’s sister, who attempted to kill her nephew Prahlad. Holika Dahan precedes rangwali (colours) Holi which takes place the next day.

Holika Dahan is observed on Purnima Tithi in the month of Phalguna, Shukla Paksha. This year, Holika Dahan will take place on March 9.

Holika Dahan 2020 shubh muhurat, puja vidhi and Narasimha Mantras:

Purnima Tithi begins at 3:03 AM and ends at 11:17 PM on March 9.

Holika Dahan Shubh Muhurat: 6:26 PM to 8:52 PM on March 9.

Holika Dahan puja samagri:

Coconut

A Kalash full of water

Akshat (unbroken rice)

Deep

Agarbatti

Dhoop

Cotton thread

Turmeric (Haldi)

Kumkum (Vermillion)

Cow dung cakes and toys, idols of Holika and Prahlad made of cow dung

Logs of wood

Flowers

Gulal

Moong daal

Batasha or any other sweet

Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi:

Clean the place where you would like to perform the Holika Dahan with Gangajal or cow dung water. Then pile the logs of wood and cow dung cakes.

Before doing the Holika Puja, one must invoke Lord Ganesha, to seek his blessings so that you succeed in completing the puja without facing hurdles. After worshipping Lord Ganesha, you may proceed with Holika Dahan.

The idols of Prahalad and Holika are kept beside each other during the puja. But before the Dahan begins, the idol of Prahlad is removed and kept safely. This ritual recounts how the blessings of Lord Vishnu saved Prahlad and how Holika was burnt into ashes.

Light a Deep (oil lamp) and invoke Lord Narasimha by chanting the following Mantra:

Namaste Narasimhaya, Prahladahlada-dayine, Hiranyakasiporvaksaha, shila-tanka nakhalaye |

नमस्ते नरसिंहाय प्रह्लादाह्लाद दायिने

हिरण्यकशिपोर्वक्षः शिला-टङ्क-नखालये

Ito Nrsimhah parato narsimho, yato yato yami tato nrsimhah, 

bahirnarsimho hridaye nrsimho, nrsimhamadim saranam prapadye ||

इतो नृसिंहः परतो नृसिंहो

यतो यतो यामि ततो नृसिंहः

बहिर्नृसिंहो हृदये नृसिंहो

नृसिंहमादिं शरणं प्रपद्ये

Meaning:

I bow to Lord Narasimha, who protected Prahlad from the evil. I bow to Lord Narasimha, who eliminated stone-hearted Hiranyakashpu with his sharp claws.

Lord Narasimha is omnipresent. He is here, he is there. He is inside and outside. I bow at the feet of Lord Narasimha, the protector of the good.

After offering your prayers to Lord Narasimha, you may perform the Dahan. Light the bonfire and the idol of Holika. Then offer flowers, doop, agarbatti, akshat, cotton threat, moong daal, sweets or batasha, haldi, kumkum, coconut, gulal and water. Then close your eyes and worship the deity. End the prayers by circumambulating the bonfire thrice, five or seven times.