{"id":"aigc-v0-eee88d1d-5a94-5c88-82de-470fc4597f90","title":"Holi 2026: Unveiling the Dates, Holika Dahan, and Vibrant Regional Celebrations","description":"This article details the official dates for Holi and Holika Dahan in 2026, delving into the rich cultural significance of this festival of colours. Discover the diverse regional celebrations, including the unique Lathmar Holi of Barsane and Nandgaon, and Phoolon Wali Holi in Vrindavan.","timestamp":0,"category":"travel_and_lifestyle","headline":"Holi 2026: Unveiling the Dates, Holika Dahan, and Vibrant Regional Celebrations","modifiedHeadline":"Holi 2026 Dates: Holika Dahan & Celebrations","subCategories":["scid_d3a98dc5"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"1KXCLD","fcSummary":"holi in 2026 will be celebrated on march 4th, with holika dahan on march 3rd. the festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, rooted in the legend of hiranyakashipu and prahlad. celebrations include vibrant colours, music, traditional foods, and unique regional variations like lathmar holi and phoolon wali holi.","summary":"Holi 2026 dates revealed! Holika Dahan is March 3rd, followed by the vibrant festival of colours on March 4th. Celebrations & traditions vary!","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/General_Health/IN/en/feedpost-specials/aigc-v0-eee88d1d-5a94-5c88-82de-470fc4597f90?byte=true","sourceUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/General_Health/IN/en/feedpost-specials/aigc-v0-eee88d1d-5a94-5c88-82de-470fc4597f90?byte=true","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/SbqPxTwne_40.webp","content":"

\n Discover the exact dates for Holi 2026 and Holika Dahan. Explore the triumphant legend behind this festival and its vibrant regional variations across India.\n

Holi's Exact Dates

Holi, a festival deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and celebrated as a victory of good over evil, follows the lunisolar Hindu calendar, leading to its date

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shifting annually. For 2026, Holika Dahan, the ceremonial bonfire, is scheduled for March 3rd. The following day, March 4th, will be celebrated as Holi, the vibrant festival of colours. This timing is determined by the Purnima Tithi, or the full moon, which begins on the evening of March 2nd and concludes on the afternoon of March 3rd, 2026.

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Significance and Legends

The core of Holi's celebration lies in its profound symbolism of the triumph of righteousness over malevolence. Ancient folklore recounts the tale of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king, and his virtuous son Prahlad. Hiranyakashipu's sister, Holika, possessing a boon that made her immune to fire, attempted to immolate Prahlad by sitting with him in a pyre. However, divine intervention saw Holika consumed by the flames while Prahlad remained unharmed. This event is commemorated annually with Holika Dahan, where communities light bonfires, offer grains and coconuts, and chant prayers, reinforcing the eternal message of good prevailing over evil.

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Joyous Celebrations

Holi transcends its ancient origins to become a modern festival of immense joy, unity, and revelry. Marked by the playful exchange of vibrant powdered colours (gulal) and water, often using pichkaris, the festival fosters a sense of camaraderie that bridges divides between friends, families, and even strangers. The air fills with music and laughter, and homes are abuzz with the preparation of traditional delicacies. Popular sweets like gujiya, malpua, and the refreshing drink thandai are integral to the festive spread, adding to the sensory delight of the occasion.

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Regional Holi Variations

The spirit of Holi manifests in diverse and captivating ways across different regions of India. Barsane and Nandgaon are renowned for their Lathmar Holi, a unique tradition where women playfully wield lathis (sticks) to playfully ward off men, echoing tales of Lord Krishna. Vrindavan, deeply connected to Lord Krishna's life, celebrates Phoolon Wali Holi, where petals replace colours in a fragrant spectacle. In Punjab, the festival is observed as Hola Mohalla, a more martial yet colourful celebration featuring impressive displays of horsemanship and vibrant colour play by both men and women, showcasing the rich tapestry of India's cultural heritage.

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Holi 2026: Unveiling the Dates, Holika Dahan, and Vibrant Regional Celebrations

SUMMARY