Holika Dahan 2027: Date, Muhurat and the Story of the Bonfire
Travel Guide · Travel Guides · Updated September 2026
Holika Dahan in 2027 is on Sunday, 21 March 2027, the sacred bonfire lit on the eve of Holi, with the main Holi, Rangwali Holi, the next day, on Monday, 22 March 2027. Holika Dahan is performed in the evening, during Pradosh Kaal, the time just after sunset, when the Phalguna Purnima is prevailing; the fire commemorates the burning of the demoness Holika and the saving of the young devotee Prahlad, the triumph of faith and good over evil. The evening puja muhurat, by the North India panchang, falls roughly from around 6:30 to about 9 in the evening; but please confirm your own local muhurat and the Bhadra timing with your panchang or priest, as these vary by place and 2027 is a Bhadra-affected year. In Braj, Holika Dahan crowns weeks of Holi festivity before the great day of colour.
Holika Dahan 2027: key dates
Event | Date and time (2027) |
Holika Dahan | Sunday, 21 March 2027 (in the evening, during Pradosh Kaal) |
Puja muhurat (North India reference) | In the evening of the 21st, roughly from around 6:30 to about 9 (confirm your local muhurat and the Bhadra timing) |
Rangwali Holi (main Holi) | Monday, 22 March 2027 |
Phalguna Purnima begins | Evening of 21 March, around 6:20 in the evening (New Delhi reference) |
Phalguna Purnima ends | Afternoon of 22 March, around 4:15 (New Delhi reference; varies by city) |
Event | Date and time (2027) |
Holika Dahan 2027: the date and muhurat
Holika Dahan in 2027 is on Sunday, 21 March, the sacred bonfire lit on the eve of Holi, with the main Holi, Rangwali Holi, the next day, on Monday, 22 March. The fire is lit in the evening, during Pradosh Kaal, just after sunset, when the Phalguna Purnima is prevailing; by the North India panchang the evening puja window falls roughly from around 6:30 to about 9, though, as the note above sets out, you should confirm your own local muhurat and the Bhadra timing. It is a festival kept across all of India and in Braj it crowns weeks of Holi celebration before the great day of colour. If you wish to be in Braj for the Holika Dahan and the whole Braj Holi, a mathura vrindavan tour with Experience My India can plan it.
From the ground (Gurudutt): Holika Dahan is a beautiful, solemn night; the bonfires light up across Braj and all India and we gather to pray for the burning away of evil and for the victory of Prahlad's faith. The next morning is the great Holi of colour. I always tell my guests the honest thing about the muhurat: take the exact time from your own panchang or a local priest, for it changes from place to place. Come and keep this holy night in Braj with us and greet the Holi that follows. Radhe Radhe.
What is Holika Dahan?
Holika Dahan, also called Chhoti Holi, is the sacred bonfire kept on the eve of the main Holi:
The bonfire on the eve of Holi. On the evening before Rangwali Holi, the day of colour, families and communities across India gather around bonfires, the Holika, lit in open spaces, courtyards and by temples; the fire is lit during Pradosh Kaal, the auspicious time just after sunset, when the full moon of Phalguna is prevailing.
Prayers for the burning of evil. Around the fire, devotees offer prayers and go round it, praying for the burning away of evil, negativity and ego and for good fortune, health and the victory of faith; grains, coconut and offerings are placed in the fire and the next day the sacred ash is taken as a blessing.
The eve of the day of colour. Holika Dahan is the solemn, devotional eve of the joyful Holi; the fire at night and the colour the next day, together make the festival, the burning of evil followed by the play of joy. In Braj it comes after weeks of the region's own beloved Holis.
The story of Prahlad and Holika
Holika Dahan commemorates a beloved story from the Puranas, of faith triumphing over evil. The demon king Hiranyakashipu, proud and cruel, had won a boon that made him almost impossible to kill and demanded that all worship him as a god. But his own young son, Prahlad, was a pure and steadfast devotee of Lord Vishnu and would not worship his father in place of the Lord. Enraged, Hiranyakashipu tried many times to kill his devout son and at last sent his sister Holika, a demoness who had a boon that fire could not harm her, to sit in a blazing fire holding the boy Prahlad in her lap, to burn him. But by the grace of Vishnu, whom Prahlad never ceased to trust, it was Holika who was consumed by the fire, while the child Prahlad, protected by his devotion, came through unharmed. So the Holika Dahan fire each year is the burning of Holika, the triumph of Prahlad's faith and of good over evil; and soon after, the Lord came as Narasimha to end Hiranyakashipu himself. It is a story of the power of devotion, dear to all who keep the festival. The devotion of Braj to Krishna, honoured at the banke bihari temple, is of the same pure kind.
Is Holika Dahan on 21 or 22 March 2027?
You may see both 21 and 22 March given for Holika Dahan 2027, so here is the honest explanation. For India and by the great majority of authoritative panchangs, Holika Dahan is on Sunday, 21 March 2027, because the rule for the fire is that the Phalguna Purnima tithi must be prevailing during Pradosh Kaal, the time just after sunset; in 2027 the Purnima begins on the evening of the 21st, a little before sunset, so it holds the Pradosh on that Sunday evening and the fire is kept then. A few regional calendars and traditions instead list the 22nd; this comes from the awkward alignment of the tithi, the sunset and the Bhadra period and from different panchang conventions, but for most of India and for Braj, Holika Dahan is on the 21st and Rangwali Holi on the 22nd. As always, follow your own household's panchang and your local priest for the final word.
Holika Dahan in Braj and the Braj Holi 2027 calendar
In Braj, the land of Krishna, Holika Dahan is only the crowning eve of weeks of Holi celebration. The main events of the 2027 Braj Holi journey:
Laddu and Lathmar Holi at Barsana, 15 to 16 March. The sweet Holi and the famous stick Holi at Radha's town.
Lathmar Holi at Nandgaon, 17 March. The return of the stick Holi at Krishna's town.
Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul, 19 March. The gentle cane Holi of baby Krishna's town.
Phoolon Wali Holi at Vrindavan, 20 March. The flower Holi at Banke Bihari, the most beautiful of all.
Holika Dahan, 21 March and the main Holi, 22 March. The sacred bonfire on the eve and the great Rangwali Holi, the day of colour, across Braj and all India; and the Dauji Huranga at Baldeo just after, around 23 March.
See our phoolon wali holi vrindavan 2027, lathmar holi barsana 2027, lathmar holi nandgaon 2027, laddu holi barsana 2027 and chhadi mar holi gokul 2027 guides for the Braj Holi days.
How Holika Dahan is observed
Holika Dahan is kept simply and devoutly, wherever you are:
Preparing the Holika. In the days before, communities gather wood, dried leaves and cow-dung cakes to build the Holika, the bonfire, in an open space, courtyard or by a temple; an effigy of Holika and sometimes of the child Prahlad who is saved, may be placed on it.
The evening puja and the fire. In the evening, during the muhurat, the fire is lit after a simple puja; devotees offer grains, coconut, sweets and colour to the fire, go round it in prayer and pray for the burning away of evil and negativity and for good fortune, health and faith.
The sacred ash and the day of colour. The next morning, the sacred ash of the Holika fire is taken as a blessing and applied to the forehead; and then the great Rangwali Holi, the day of colour, begins. Follow the local custom and your priest and keep the fire and its offerings safe and respectful.
The temples of Braj, such as the dwarkadhish temple and the krishna janmabhoomi, keep the Holi joy in these days.
Planning a Holi trip to Braj
To keep Holika Dahan and the great Holi in Braj is a beautiful thing:
When to come. Come for the Braj Holi days from around 15 March, through the Lathmar, Chhadi Mar and flower Holis, to the Holika Dahan on 21 March and the main Holi on 22 March; allow at least three or four days, base in Vrindavan or Mathura and book very early, for Holi is the busiest season in Braj.
Keep it safe and joyful. The Braj Holi is joyful but very crowded; go with a Braj local who knows the days, the safe places to watch and the road closures and keep your safety and your family's first, especially at the great temple Holis.
The whole of Braj. Beyond the Holi, Braj is dear year-round, its temples, ghats and leela places; a Holi trip is a beautiful time to see the whole of Krishna's land.
See our how to commute in vrindavan and mathura vrindavan tour itinerary guides for planning your Braj Holi days.
We host guests for the Braj Holi, from the Lathmar and flower Holis to the Holika Dahan and the day of colour, every year, with a comfortable vehicle, the safe places to watch and a Braj-born host who welcomes you as family. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free and we arrange bespoke Holi trips too. The braj 84 kos yatra covers the whole of Braj, our mathura vrindavan tour the twin cities and our vrindavan tour package Vrindavan in a day; the prem mandir vrindavan and the braj yamuna ghats and leela sites are dear year-round. Message me on WhatsApp at +91-9998315825 to plan your Holi and book early, as Holi fills fast.
Related guides
Bigger Group? Get special offersup to 50% Off!
Experience Mathura & Vrindavan with your group.
Get A Callback
Questions Pilgrims Ask Before Visiting
Every answer is based on Gurudutt's on-ground experience guiding 50,000+ pilgrims through Mathura & Vrindavan since 2018
What is the Holika Dahan muhurat in 2027?
The Holika Dahan puja is done in the evening of 21 March 2027, during Pradosh Kaal; by the North India panchang the evening window falls roughly from around 6:30 to about 9. But the exact muhurat is not a single fixed time; it is calculated from your city's sunset and the Purnima tithi, so it varies by place and in 2027 the Bhadra period, when the fire must not be lit, also falls across the evening. So confirm the exact muhurat and Bhadra timing with your own panchang or priest before you light the fire.
What is the Holika Dahan muhurat in 2027?
The Holika Dahan puja is done in the evening of 21 March 2027, during Pradosh Kaal; by the North India panchang the evening window falls roughly from around 6:30 to about 9. But the exact muhurat is not a single fixed time; it is calculated from your city's sunset and the Purnima tithi, so it varies by place and in 2027 the Bhadra period, when the fire must not be lit, also falls across the evening. So confirm the exact muhurat and Bhadra timing with your own panchang or priest before you light the fire.
When is Rangwali Holi 2027?
Rangwali Holi, the main Holi, the great day of colour, in 2027 is on Monday, 22 March 2027, the day after Holika Dahan on 21 March. In Braj, though, the Holi season runs for a week before this, with the Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon, the Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul and the flower Holi at Vrindavan, so a Braj Holi trip is a festival across many towns and days, ending with the Holika Dahan and the day of colour.
Is Holika Dahan on 21 or 22 March 2027?
For India and by the great majority of authoritative panchangs, Holika Dahan is on Sunday, 21 March 2027, because the Phalguna Purnima tithi is prevailing during Pradosh Kaal on that evening. A few regional calendars and traditions list the 22nd, from the awkward alignment of the tithi, sunset and Bhadra and different panchang conventions; but for most of India and for Braj, it is the 21st, with Rangwali Holi on the 22nd. Follow your own household's panchang for the final word.
Why does the Holika Dahan muhurat vary by place?
Because Holika Dahan follows the Hindu tithi, the lunar day, which maps to slightly different local times depending on your city's sunrise and sunset; the muhurat is set from your local sunset and the Purnima tithi, so a reader in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or abroad will have a different local muhurat and even the tithi end time differs by city. So the North India times given here are a guide, not a fixed rule for everywhere; take your exact muhurat from your own panchang or priest.
What is the story of Holika Dahan?
Holika Dahan commemorates the story of Prahlad and Holika from the Puranas. The demon king Hiranyakashipu demanded to be worshipped as a god, but his son Prahlad remained a pure devotee of Vishnu; enraged, the king sent his sister Holika, who had a boon that fire could not harm her, to sit in a blazing fire holding Prahlad, to burn him. But by Vishnu's grace it was Holika who was consumed, while the devout child came through unharmed. So the fire is the triumph of faith and of good over evil.
What is the significance of Holika Dahan?
Holika Dahan signifies the triumph of good over evil and of faith and devotion, in the story of Prahlad, whose trust in Vishnu saved him from the fire meant to kill him, while the demoness Holika was consumed. The bonfire each year is the burning away of evil, negativity and ego and the prayer for good fortune, health and faith; it is the solemn, devotional eve of the joyful Holi of colour that follows the next day.
What is Bhadra and why does it matter for Holika Dahan 2027?
Bhadra or Vishti karana, is an inauspicious period during which the Holika Dahan fire should not be lit, above all not during its first part, the Bhadra Mukha. In 2027, the Bhadra falls across the evening of 21 March, so the muhurat must be set with care by the classical rules, either in the later Bhadra Puchha window or after Bhadra ends, as the panchang gives it. This is why the exact muhurat needs care and why you should take it from your own panchang or priest.
What is Pradosh Kaal?
Pradosh Kaal is the auspicious period just after sunset, in the early evening; Holika Dahan is to be performed during Pradosh Kaal when the Phalguna Purnima tithi is prevailing, which is the governing condition for the fire. This is why the Holika Dahan is an evening ritual and why its exact time depends on your local sunset. In 2027 the Purnima holds the Pradosh on the evening of 21 March, so the fire is kept then.
How is Holika Dahan performed?
In the days before, communities build the Holika bonfire of wood, dried leaves and cow-dung cakes in an open space or by a temple. In the evening, during the muhurat, the fire is lit after a simple puja; devotees offer grains, coconut, sweets and colour, go round the fire in prayer and pray for the burning of evil and for good fortune. The next morning, the sacred ash is taken as a blessing and the day of colour, Rangwali Holi, begins.
How is Holika Dahan celebrated in Braj and Vrindavan?
In Braj, the land of Krishna, Holika Dahan is the crowning eve of weeks of Holi celebration; bonfires are lit across Vrindavan, Mathura and the Braj towns on the evening of 21 March, with prayers and devotion and the great Rangwali Holi follows the next day. It comes after the region's own beloved Holis, the Lathmar at Barsana and Nandgaon, the Chhadi Mar at Gokul and the flower Holi at Vrindavan, so in Braj the Holika Dahan is one night in a long, joyful festival.
What is the difference between Holika Dahan and Holi?
Holika Dahan is the sacred bonfire lit on the evening before, the solemn, devotional eve, commemorating the burning of Holika and the saving of Prahlad; the main Holi, Rangwali Holi, is the great day of colour the next day, when people play with colours and water in joy. So Holika Dahan is the fire of the eve, on 21 March 2027 and Holi the day of colour that follows, on 22 March 2027; the burning of evil, then the play of joy.
What else can I see during Braj Holi 2027?
Much; the Laddu Holi at Barsana on 15 March; the Lathmar Holi at Barsana on 16 March and Nandgaon on 17 March; the Chhadi Mar Holi at Gokul on 19 March; the flower Holi, Phoolon Wali Holi, at Vrindavan on 20 March; the Holika Dahan on 21 March; the great Rangwali Holi on 22 March; and the Dauji Huranga at Baldeo just after. The Braj Holi is a journey across many towns and days, the most special Holi in India.
Should I confirm the Holika Dahan date and muhurat locally?
The date, Sunday 21 March 2027, is settled for India and Braj, so you can rely on it. But the exact puja muhurat and the Bhadra timing, vary by your city's sunset and tithi and 2027 is a Bhadra-affected year, so you should take the precise muhurat from the panchang your household follows or from your temple or local priest before lighting the fire. The times on this page are a North India guide, not a substitute for your own panchang.
Holika Dahan 2027 kab hai?
Holika Dahan 2027 mein ravivar, 21 March 2027 ko hai, Holi ki sandhya par jalaayi jaane wali pavitra Holika. Rangwali Holi agle din, somwar 22 March ko hai. Holika Dahan sandhya mein Pradosh Kaal mein hoti hai. Muhurat sthaan ke anusaar badalta hai, aur 2027 mein Bhadra ka dhyaan rakhna hai, isliye apne panchang ya purohit se sahi muhurat avashya poochein. Yeh Prahlad aur Holika ki katha, sat ki asat par vijay, ko darshati hai. Ise hum aadar ke saath prastut karte hain. Radhe Radhe.
Can you arrange a Braj Holi 2027 trip including Holika Dahan?
Yes; we host guests for the whole Braj Holi, from the Lathmar and flower Holis to the Holika Dahan on 21 March and the great Holi on 22 March, every year, with a comfortable vehicle, the safe places to watch and a Braj-born host who welcomes you as family. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free and we arrange bespoke Holi trips too. Message us on WhatsApp at +91-9998315825 to plan your Holi and book early, as Holi fills fast.
tuation Based on Your Situation
Our Recommendation —Based on Your Situation Based on Your Situation
One Day : -
If you are: If you're short on time
Covers major Mathura and Vrindavan temples in one day
Two Day : -
If you are: If this is your first Braj visit
Relaxed darshan with overnight stay and key attractions
Three Day : -
If you are: If you want a complete Braj experience
Extra time for temples, aartis and spiritual exploration
Vrindavan + Mathura Temple Timings 2026 — Verified
Timings verified by Experience My India's local team — May 2026. Several temples close 3–4 hours in the afternoon. First-time visitors who arrive during closure windows miss darshan entirely.
Temple | Summer Morning | Summer Evening | Winter Morning | Winter Evening |
Banke Bihari Temple | 07:45 AM - 12:00 PM | 05:30 PM - 09:30 PM | 08:45 AM - 01:00 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM |
Prem Mandir | 07:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM | 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM |
ISKCON Krishna Balram | 04:10 AM - 12:45 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM | 04:10 AM - 12:45 PM | 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM |
Radha Raman Temple | 05:00 AM - 12:30 PM | 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM | 05:30 AM - 12:30 PM | 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Sri Rangji Mandir | 05:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM | 06:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Nidhivan Temple | 05:00 AM - 08:00 PM | Closed after sunset | 06:00 AM - 07:00 PM | Closed after sunset |
Krishna Janmasthan | 05:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 04:00 PM - 09:30 PM | 05:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 03:00 PM - 08:30 PM |
Dwarkadhish Temple | 06:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM | 06:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 03:30 PM - 06:00 PM |
Gita Mandir | 05:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM | 05:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 02:00 PM - 08:30 PM |
Vishram Ghat Aarti | Open 24 hrs | Aarti: 06:45 PM | Open 24 hrs | Aarti: 06:45 PM |
Comments