Significance of Holika Puja
The Holika Puja on Holi provides prosperity, wealth, and power. Though a Demoness, Holika is worshipped along with Prahlada before Holika Dahan.
Sacred books recommend performing Holika Puja before Holika Dahan. Choosing the date and time is based on Hindu Panchang. It is essential to perform Holika Dahan with correct timing as doing it at some unacceptable time could bring suffering and misfortune.
Puja Samagri
The Samagri or materials for Puja include one bowl of water, roli, Akshat, beads made of cow dung, scents like Agarbatti and Dhoop. Additionally, crude cotton string, turmeric, solid lentil moong, batasha, flowers, gulal powder and coconut are essential. The fresh grains of crops like wheat and gram are important for the Puja too.
Holika Sthapana
The sthapana of Holika starts with washing of place with cow dung and Ganga Jal. Toys using cow dung are commonly known as Bharbholiye, Gulari, or Badkulla, adore the wooden post in the middle.
Additionally, cow excrement is used in the making of traditional Holika and Prahlada symbols. Decoration of Holika with sun, moon, stars, shields, swords and other cow dung toys is an important ritual.
Four goithas or dung cakes are also prepared before the holy pyre. One in the name of ancestors, the second is for Hanuman, the third is for Goddess Sheetala and the fourth is for family well-being.
Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi
For Holika Dahan, individuals light a huge fire after nightfall, chant mantras and sing conventional music and circle around the huge fire. The bid begins with wood logs enclosing straws. Prior to getting the fire going, individuals offer roli, akshat, blossoms, raw cotton string, turmeric, moong dal, batasha, peanuts, gur in the stacked woods. Then, at that point, individuals chant the mantra and get the fire going and circle the huge fire multiple times and pray to God for their wellbeing and joy.
A couple of rules one must follow for Holika Dahan puja:
- – Try to shower and wear clean garments prior to beginning the puja.
- – Face towards the east while performing the puja.
- – Apply abeer-gulal on the idols in your temple.
- – Light a dhoopbatti, agarbatti and keep tulsi leaves close to the puja thali.
So, this year while you perform Holika Dahan make sure you abide by all rituals and mantras involved for a fruitful blessing from the Gods. We, at InstaAstro wish you a prosperous and blisfull Holi ahead!