Different Ways to Celebrate Choti Holi in India

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Choti Holi - Holika Dahan

Also called as Choti Holi, Holika Dahan is an interesting and meaningful celebration in India. This event falls during night on the eve of the most famed Holi celebrations. The highlight of Choti Holi (mall Holi) involves lighting bonfire as a symbol of the victory of good over evil.

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Celebrate Choti Holi (Holika Dahan)

There are several legends that are ascribed to the origin of Choti Holi and we cannot exactly say which one is the principal source of origin of this event. However, the variations are just baffling and interesting too in terms of the stories behind and with regard to celebrating it differently.

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The Earliest Source

The earliest mention of Holikotsav or Choti Holi is found in the Vedic literature and Puranic stories. Vedas talk about burning the sacred fire of Holi accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras for the destruction of evil forces. It is also said that on the day of Choti Holi, the ritual of offering cereals in fire started during very ancient times.

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The Earliest Source

It is said the holy ash collected from the fire at the end is smeared as holy ash in the foreheads to keep away evil. The name of this Vibhuti is Bhumi Hari. The tradition of offering wheat and oat in the Holika fire continues to this day.

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Choti Holi Story in Narad Purana

As per the legend narrated in the Narad Purana, demon Hiranyakasipu had asevere hatred towards Vishnu who had earlier killed his brother Hiranyaksha. Prahlad was Hiranyakasipu’s son who was highly devoted to Vishnu right from his birth since he happened to listen to the stories of the Lord when he was in his mother’s womb. Not able to change the ways of Prahlad, Hiranyakasipu tried killing his own son in different ways all of which failed due to the grace of Vishnu.

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Choti Holi Story in Narad Purana

Finally, he ordered his sister Holika to carry the boy and enter the fire. While Holika’s boon had protected her from fires, this time Prahlad was saved and she faced a miserable death. This event is said to be remembered behind the Choti Holi celebrations.

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Choti Holi Story in Bhavishya Purana

In Bhavishya Purana, we come across yet another story of how Choti Holi started. In the kingdom of Raghu, there lived an ogress called Dhundhi who was known for troubling children. With hard attempts, she was chased away by the people on the day of Choti Holi and the event of bonfire on this day is celebrated in the memory of this event as a mark of the victory of good over evil. That is the reason why the children are allowed to do mischief and engage in pranks on this day in a happy mood.

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Holika Dahan

As per the Holika dahan tradition, a log of wood is placed in a public place on the day of Vasant Panchami day which is about 40 days before the day of Holi. Since this day, people pile up the woods and combustible materials that they can contribute to this log. The log thus gradually grows in size and on the day of Holika Dahan, the effigy of Holika with child Prahlad in her laps is made.

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Holika Dahan

While the effigy of Holika is made of combustible materials and that of Prahlad is made with non-combustible materials, the one of Holika bursts and burns while that of Prahlad remains untouched. Restaging of this Puranic event is the interesting part of Holika Dahan or Choti Holi.

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Samvatsar Dahan

Te different version of Choti Holi is called Samvatsar Dahan practised in some parts of India including Bihar and UP. In these places, the bonfire of Choti Holi marks the beginning of the New Year. Depending on the New Year calendar of the region, it will happen on the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) or waning phase (Krishna Paksha) of the lunar month of Phalgun.

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