Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is an important event celebrated as on the eve of Holi festival. Holika Dahan is basically lighting bonfire and chanting Rakshoghna Mantras of the Rig Veda to ward off evil spirits. There is a legend behind the tradition of holika dahan. This day is celebrated in the memory of Prahlad's victory and the defeat of his aunt 'Holika'. Hiranyakashyap, father of Prahlad wishes that everyone should worship him instead any other god. But Prahlad was followed Lord Vishnu and never worshipped his father. The angry father instructed his sister 'holika' to sit in fire with Prahalad in her lap. She was blessed with a boon but the opposite happened. Prahlad survived from fire but his aunt 'holika' burnt in the fire. This marks the victory of good over bad.

Thats why every year, on the eve of Holi, holika dahan is practised by throwing unwanted wood, dried leaves and other burning material in the fire.