A complete step-by-step guide to performing the puja at home.
Dedicated to Holika (bonfire) and Lord Vishnu (protector of Prahlada)
Days before Holika Dahan, a communal pyre is built at a central location — wood, dry grass, and dung cakes stacked around a central wooden pole representing Holika. The pole is decorated with cow-dung garlands and a small effigy of Holika.
Sit facing east or north. Hold water, akshat (unbroken rice), and a flower in your right palm. The Sankalp mantra below is pre-filled with today's panchang (tithi, nakshatra, samvat year, lunar month, and weekday) — only the bracketed cues marked [say "…"] remain for you to fill in: your city, your gotra, and your full name. Women replace गोत्रोत्पन्नः with गोत्रोत्पन्ना. Release the water, akshat, and flower onto a plate as you finish the mantra.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे श्वेतवाराहकल्पे वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे कलियुगे प्रथमचरणे जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे भरतखण्डे आर्यावर्तान्तर्गते [say "your city name"] नगरे, विक्रम संवत्सरे 2083 (सिद्धार्थी) वत्सरे, चैत्र मासे, शुक्ल पक्षे, पूर्णिमा तिथौ, सोमवासरे, उत्तराफाल्गुनी नक्षत्रे, [say "your gotra, e.g. Kashyapa"] गोत्रोत्पन्नः, [say "your full name"] नामाहम्, सकल दुरित क्षय पूर्वक सकल अभीष्ट सिद्ध्यर्थं श्री नरसिंह-प्रह्लाद प्रीत्यर्थं श्री होलिका दहनम् अहं करिष्ये।
The tithi, nakshatra, lunar month, weekday and samvat year in the mantra above are for Holika Dahan Puja's upcoming date: Monday, 22 March 2027. These values auto-update each year.
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva and red flowers before beginning the main ritual.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke the presence of Holika and Prahlada into the pyre by chanting the Holika Dahan mantra. Offer chandan, kumkum, akshat, and flowers at the base of the pyre.
असृक्पाभय संत्रस्तैः कृता त्वं होलि बालिशैः। अतस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूते भूतिप्रदा भव॥
Walk around the pyre seven times holding a long moli thread — with each round wrap the thread once around the pyre. Offer wheat stalks, popcorn, chickpeas, and sugar to the pyre with each round. Pray for protection and purification.
Offer panchamrit, Gangajal, coconut, jaggery, and sweets to the Holika pyre. Some traditions symbolically offer old unwanted items or written lists of negative habits to the fire — meant to be burnt with Holika.
Recite the story of Prahlada, Hiranyakashipu, and Holika — Prahlada's devotion to Vishnu and how Holika's fire-proof shawl flew to him instead, saving him and burning the demoness. Recite the Narasimha Stotra to honour Vishnu's protection of his devotee.
ॐ नमो भगवते नारसिंहाय नमस्तेजस्तेजसे आविराविर्भव॥
At the exact muhurat moment, the eldest male of the community lights the pyre. As the flames rise, chant 'Hiranyakashipu ki naash ho, Prahlada ki raksha ho' — 'may evil perish and devotion be protected'. Ring bells and blow conches.
Perform the Holika Aarti with camphor around the burning pyre. After the flames subside, devotees collect some ash (bhasma) from the bonfire — it is considered highly auspicious for removing negativity and applied on the forehead for blessings.
The next day is Rangwali Holi — the festival of colours. Before playing with colour, apply a tilak of Holika ash to family members. Then celebrate with gulal, water, sweets (especially gujiya), and traditional thandai. Distribute sweets as prasad to neighbours.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.
