Holi 2023: Rituals, Muhurat, Pooja Vidhi and Much More

Let’s get started with InstaAstro’s special blog on Holi festival rituals. This year we celebrate Holi on 8 March 2023. Imagine walking down the streets of India on a bright and sunny day when suddenly you are surrounded by a burst of colours! The air is filled with excitement, music ,and laughter, and people of all ages are dancing and singing to the rhythm of the dhol. You look around and see a sea of smiling faces, all soaked in a rainbow of colours, and you know that you have just stepped into the magical world of Holi – the Festival of Colors.

Holi is a festival that has been celebrated in India for centuries, and it is known for its vibrant and high-spirited celebrations. It is a festival that brings people of all backgrounds and religions together as they unite to celebrate the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The festival is a time for people to forget their differences and enjoy the festivities. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious time for Holika Dahan 2023 is from 18:24 PM to 20:51 PM .So, come and join the celebration with us as we discuss the Holi festival rituals, their importance and much more.

Also Read: 5 Temples To Witness Mind-Blowing Holi Celebration In India

Holi Festival Rituals 

Holi is a time to embrace life’s beauty and immerse oneself in the colours of joy, love and happiness. Rituals like Holika Dahan have been celebrated for centuries in our country and hold cultural significance as well. In this section we will look out one of the most practisced Holi festival rituals. 

• Dwadashi 

The festival of Holi begins with ‘Dwadashi’ or ‘Duadashi’. This ritual is observed on Purnima. On this day female members of the family applies gulaal (coloured powder) on the male members. 

• Puno and Holika Dahan 

The second day of Holi ritual is called ‘Puno’. The ritual of Holika Dahan, which is performed a night before Holi, is said to symbolize the victory of good over evil. According to astrological beliefs, this ritual is performed during the Pradosh Kaalam. During this time the atmosphere is said to be charged with positive energy, making it an auspicious time to perform this ritual. On this day people gather around a bonfire to symbolise the burning of the demoness, Holika who tried to kill Prahlada. 

• Parva 

In some regions this Holi ritual is also known as ‘Dulheti’. This is the main day of the Holi. On this day people gather in the street or public places to smear each other with coloured powder ( gulaal or water colours. This is a fun and lively tradition or ritual that symbolizes the joy of spring. 

Another ritual associated with this festival of colours is seeking the blessing of our elders. On the day of Holi, people seek blessings from the elderly members of the family by applying gulaal to their feet. This ritual contains astrological significance. As per astrological beliefs, it is believed that applying gulaal and touching the feet of the elder members of the family attracts wealth and fortune into an individual’s life. 

How can we forget Lord Krishna on the auspicious day of Holi? The Holi ritual is associated with offering prayer and seeking blessings from Lord Krishna. As per astrological beliefs, Lord Krishna takes care of all our obstacles and hardships. 

Holika Dahan Vidhi 

• The East or North direction is considered the best for this Holi Dahan pooja. So, sit with your face towards the east or north direction. 
• Once you have decided on the direction, it is time to cleanse the location by sprinkling the drops of gangajal. 
• With cow dung’s help, prepare the Prahlad and Holika’s idols. During this process, ensure you already have a plate containing essential ingredients such as turmeric, flowers, rice, thread and a kalash (pot). 
• Remembering Lord Narasimha, offer rice, batashe, and flowers to the idols. 
• Before burning Holika, remember to take your name, father’s name and gotra name (clan), and while remembering Lord Ganesha, offer the rice (also known as akshat) to Holika. 
• After offering rice to Lord Ganesha, do the same by remembering Prahlad. 
• Offer five grains (anaaj) while chanting the name of Lord Narasimha. 
• Now take five circles or parikramas around Holika and wrap a raw thread( also known as soot) around Holika. 
• Add some gulaal into the kalash and offer the holy water to the sacred fire. 
• Apply tilak or roli to your family members and give everyone best wishes. 

Things You Should Never Donate On Holi 

One of the most common Holi festival rituals is to donate something to the poor and needy. Donating food, clothes and other essential material to the needy holds religious importance in our culture. However, not everything is meant to be donated. Yes, you read it right. If you donate things like books or used clothes, you are indirectly opening doors to omens and bad luck. So, especially for you, we have breakdown the items one should never donate on Holi. 

Books

Donating books and copies is one of the nicest ways to serve humanity. Right? But according to the Vastu Shastra, one should not donate used books and copies to others. This is because we are not just donating old books and notebooks but also giving away the knowledge and intelligence we have developed. 

Utensils 

Besides clothes and food, people often donate steel utensils to the poor on Holi festival rituals. However, steel utensils top the list of items one should never donate on the auspicious occasion of Holi. Here is what you should do instead. First, try donating food items such as flour, rice, etc. 

Old Clothes 

Have you ever wondered what happens to the old clothes in our house? We usually habitually donate clothes to the poor and needy once they get old. Nothing seems wrong in donating our clothes to the poor. Right? If you are also one of those people who think donating our old clothes is fine, then pay attention to what we will say next. Donating used and old clothes to the poor upsets the planet Venus. As a result, planet Venus sends bad luck into our lives. So, this is why you should never donate old clothes, especially on Holi festival rituals.

Used Oil 

Our grandmothers often say that one should not donate used oil to the poor. But what is the reason behind this is still unknown. Don’t worry; we will tell you why we should not donate used or cooked oil to others. Donating oil is one of the ways through which you can bring the god of Karma, Shani Dev, to your side. However, donating used or cooked oil is what upsets him the most. 

What are the best things you can donate this Holi? 

Folks, now that you know what things you should not donate on Holi, let us focus on the things you can do. Following are some items that one can donate on Holi and seek blessings of the Almighty.

Donate food and clothes to the needy

Let us hop onto the next best thing you can donate on the day of Holi. It is said that if an individual donates clothes and food to the needy on Holi, they get the blessings of the god of Karma, Shani Deva. This is because Lord Shani Deva represents the poor and needy. .

Donate gold 

Donating gold is the key to getting rid of all the sorrows. It is said that if an individual donates gold on the auspicious day of Holi, they are blessed with a long life. However, it is not obligated to donate gold on Holi. 

Donate fodder for cows 

Folks, if you want to seek the blessings of all 33 crores Hindu deities, then don’t forget to feed fodder to cows on the auspicious day of Holi. By doing this ritual, one can welcome happiness, fortune and peace. According to Hindu mythology, the cow’s body is an abode of 33 crore deities. 

Donate sweets 

Donating sweets to the poor and needy is one of the most common Holi festival rituals. Also, it improves an individual’s decision-making power. Along with that donating Maal Pua to the poor and needy boosts intelligence. You can also donate other sweet dishes, such as Gujiya, Shakkar Paara, and Maal Pua. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Also Read: Significance And Association Of Holi Colours With Hindu Gods

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