Holi 2022: Find Out The Significance, Rituals, Date, And Time

Thu, Mar 10, 2022

Holi 2022: Find Out The Significance, Rituals, Date, And Time

Holi is a grand and vibrant festival that holds much importance for Hindus and is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Read here to know all about the significance, timings, and the way Holi is celebrated.

Holi is a carnival of colors! The festival of colors is celebrated with intense fervor and zeal by all Indians worldwide. Holi is a festival that most Indians look forward to every year. It is easily one of the most significant festivals celebrated by Hindus. This vibrant festival marks the victory of good over evil.

Let's get to know more about this colorful festival

Explore more

Holi 2022 Date And Time: Find Out Here!

The Holi festival 2022 will be observed on 18th March 2022 (Friday). This festival of color is spread out over two days every year. On the first day, a bonfire is created to symbolize the burning of the demoness- Holika, and this occasion is known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi. On the second day, the & Rangwali Holi is observed. In some places in India, Rang Panchami is celebrated five days after Holi.

Here are the important timings that you should know for the Holi festival.

Holika Dahan - 17th March 2022 (Thursday)
Purnima Tithi (Starts) - 01:29 PM, 17th March 2022
Purnima Tithi (Ends) - 12:47 PM, 18th March 2022

Want to know more about Holi 2022? Get in touch with our Astroyogi astrologers right away!

What Is The Significance And Importance of The Festival of Holi?

The ancient Hindu festival, Holi, marks the beginning of the spring season and the conclusion of the winter season. Holashtak begins on 10th March 2022 (Thursday), followed by Holika Dahan and the festival of colors, Holi. As per the Hindu calendar, this vibrant festival is observed on the last Purnima or the full Moon day in Phalgun month. According to the Gregorian calendar, Holi falls in February or March.

On the occasion of Holi, everyone plays with colors to celebrate. It is safe to say that Holi is the most awaited time of the year. Generally, Holi is observed for two days. On the first day, bonfires are put on fire at an appropriate Muhurat for Holika Dahan after dusk. On the next day, Holi is celebrated with Gulal (colored powder) and water. Besides being the day when people smear Holi colors on each other, this particular festival also is the day when people celebrate brotherhood, peace, and the feeling of love. The day gives an opportunity to people to forgive others' mistakes and start anew in life. This pious occasion is seen as perfect for mending broken relationships as it brings people together and spreads happiness. Furthermore, the festival of Holi is also celebrated by people as an occasion of thanksgiving for a good harvest.

As per mythology, this festival is associated with the triumph of good over evil. Many famous legends are related to the festival, but the most famous one is Prahlad and Holika. Prahlad was the son of demon king Hiranyakashyap. Prahlad was a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap was highly against his son being a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Out of rage, Hiranyakashyap tried to kill his son numerous times but failed repeatedly. Finally, he turned to his sister, Holika. Holika had a shawl given by Lord Brahma to protect her from fire. She coaxed young Prahlad to sit on her lap in a huge bonfire.

When the fire was lit, Prahlad started chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. Due to the grace of the divine Lord Vishnu, the shawl protected Prahlad instead of Holika. The demoness Holika was burned to ashes, and Prahlada was unhurt. Later, Lord Vishnu, in the form of Lord Narasimha, killed Hiranyakashyap. This is why this occasion has massive importance for devotees.

What Are The Rituals Associated with Holi?

The ancient Holi festival has many rituals associated with it. People celebrate Holi in different ways in different regions, depending on the cultural practices of that specific region. Generally, apart from playing with colors, Holika Puja is a major part of the festival. This Puja should be conducted at a proper time as doing it at the wrong time might bring you misfortune.

Let's get to know more.

For the Holika Puja, people start gathering wood for the lighting of the bonfire in fields and other open spaces. This is called Holika Dahan and alludes to the mythological tale of Holika and Prahlad.
The materials used for the Puja are cow dung, unbroken Moong Dal, unbroken rice or Akshat, Roli, flowers, Incense sticks or Agarbatti, raw cotton thread, Batasha, coconut, grains of freshly cultivated crops like wheat, etc. You must keep all the Puja materials on a plate.
While sitting down for Puja, you must face the East or the North direction.
Take the Sankalp, and then worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Ambika, Lord Narsimha, and Prahlad. Worship them with complete rituals and use all the Puja materials.
Offer the rice, incense sticks, flowers, coconut, etc., to Holika. Take the raw yarn and tie it around the Holika. You can take three, five, or seven rounds, circumambulating it. After that, empty the water pot in front of the woodpile.
After that, Holika is burnt. Huge bonfires are lit in the evening. To celebrate the ultimate triumph of good, everyone gathered for the Holika Dahan partake to light the bonfire on fire.
Coconuts are thrown into the bonfire for worship.
After that, people take blessings from elders. People offer new crops to the bonfire and roast them. The roasted grains are distributed as the Prasad.

Devotees believe that all fear can be conquered by performing Holika Puja. This Puja is believed to bestow prosperity and wealth on the devotees. The fiery remains of the bonfire are believed to be incredibly auspicious. This is why devotees take the ashes or the burning sections of wood home. The ash is also smeared on the body by devotees, and it is regarded as pious. People believe it can purify your soul and body. After Holika Dahan, the next day which is Holi is filled with merriment.

Holi is marked by people smearing Gulal or Abeer (dry colored powder) of different hues on each other and the feet of the senior members of their families.
Pichkaris (water guns) of different shapes and sizes swarm the marketplaces and are a favorite among children. People use these water guns to drench each other with colored water. Children enjoy playing with water balloons and water guns.
Holi is filled with people dancing on the beats of drums, enjoying folk songs. It is seen as an occasion of fun and frolic.
On this occasion, people indulge in famous Holi delicacies such as Gujiya, Mathri, Ladoos, Thandai, etc. Bhang (a drink made with cannabis) is another popular Holi beverage that is quite popular amongst people on this occasion.

Holi is all about people taking part in the general merriment with their near and dear ones, making a perfect picture of bliss.

How to Celebrate Holi Festival in India?

Considered as one of the most famous festivals in India, Holi is eagerly awaited by people. The festival of Holi is a celebration of peace, prosperity, happiness, equality, and brotherhood that transcends all socio-economic, religious, and cultural boundaries.

Holi is referred to by different names by people in different regions of India; some of which are Dhulandi or Dhulendi, Dol Jatra in West Bengal and Orissa, and Shigmo in Goa. Big Holi events such as parades, parties, and parades are organized. People in agricultural societies also celebrate Holi as it is symbolic of a new harvest season.

Let’s look at how the Holi celebration is done in different parts of the country.

Big Holi Melas or fairs are held in different cities of Uttar Pradesh and other parts of Northern India.
Places such as Mathura, Gokul, Barsana, Vrindavan, and Govardhan, which are associated with the divine Lord Krishna, are famous for their Holi celebrations. Holi is celebrated with great pomp and gusto for many days in the cities of Uttar Pradesh, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan. Every temple and house celebrates this festival of colors with immense enthusiasm. People visit the temples during this time and play Holi with flowers, colors, and get drenched with colored water as it is believed to be a blessing from God. In Vrindavan, you can hear bhajans and devotional songs for Radha and Krishna in the background wherever you go.
Lathmar Holi, meaning the ‘Holi of sticks,’ is a famous traditional Holi festivity in Barsana. In this festival, women have fun beating men with Bamboo sticks or Lathis.
In West Bengal, Holi is known as Dol Jatra, wherein people spray colored water and smear Abeer on each other. Holi at Shantiniketan is particularly well-known. Rabindranath Tagore introduced Basanta Utsav, meaning Springfest, to celebrate the arrival of Spring on Holi. Holi is celebrated in Shantiniketan with colors and the recital of eternal songs of Rabindranath Tagore, dance performances, and hymns. Dishes like Payesh, Basanti Sandesh, and Malpua are made on this occasion.
In Tamil Nadu, Panguni Uthiram is celebrated on this day. It is believed that the wedding of the divine Lord Rama and Goddess Sita happened on this day. On this day, divine marriages are celebrated.

The festival of colors, Holi, is an occasion that is celebrated like no other. Holi defies all religious discriminations and transcends religion and class. The festival of color brings people from different faiths, communities, regions, and walks of life together, and everyone smears Gulal, eats, drinks, dances, and makes merry.

So, this Holi 2022, give Holi wishes and Holi greetings to your loved ones, smear Gulal on them, and enjoy the festival to the fullest by participating with full zeal in every ritual, tradition, or practice related to the festival.

Do you want to know what the Holi festival 2022 has in store for you? If yes, consult with Astroyogi astrologers right away!