Phalguna Purnima (Holi) फाल्गुन पूर्णिमा (होली)
Phalguna • Purnima
Also known as: Holika Dahan, Vasanta Purnima
Story — Significance of Phalguna Purnima (Holi)
Holika Dahan night — the burning of demoness Holika who tried to kill devotee Prahlad. Next day is Rangwali Holi. Also marks Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance day.
Benefit
Burns away inner negativity; victory of devotion over evil; spring renewal
Special Note
Holika Dahan happens at night during Bhadra-free time. Color play next day is Dhulendi/Rangwali Holi (technically Chaitra Krishna Pratipada).
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)
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1
Pre-Sunrise Bath
Wake before sunrise. Take a holy bath — ideally in a sacred river, otherwise add Ganga jal to water. Wear clean white or yellow clothes.
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2
Satyanarayan Vrat (most common)
Setup a kalash, Vishnu/Satyanarayan murti or photo. Offer panchamrit, banana, panchamrit prasad (banana-flour-jaggery-ghee mix). Recite the 5 chapters of Satyanarayan Katha. Distribute prasad.
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3
Day Observance
Maintain saatvik food. No grains in some traditions; others permit one full meal. Visit a temple, give donations, feed Brahmins. Practice Vishnu Sahasranama or naam-japa.
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4
Moonlight Offering
After moonrise, offer arghya (water libation) to the Moon. Place kheer or sweet rice in moonlight to absorb lunar nectar (especially on Sharad Purnima). View the moon with reverence — Purnima is the day to gaze at the Moon as a deity.
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5
Charity
Donate white items: rice, milk, sugar, white cloth, silver. Feed cows. Light lamps in temple — 108 lamps is especially meritorious.
Mantras
Browse all Purnima dates for the year: