Unraveling Date Conundrums
The year 2026 presents a peculiar puzzle for Holi enthusiasts across India, with diverse astrological readings creating widespread uncertainty about the
precise dates for both Holika Dahan and the subsequent colourful festival of Dhulandi. This confusion stems from conflicting interpretations of traditional almanacs, intricate lunar phase calculations, the influence of an 'Adhik Maas' (an extra lunar month), and a lunar eclipse scheduled for March 3rd. According to one prevailing traditional panchang, Holika Dahan, the ritualistic burning of the effigy of Holika, is indicated to occur late on the night of March 2nd. However, the vibrant celebrations of Dhulandi, the festival of colours, are then expected on March 4th. This disparity, coupled with varying official holiday announcements from different states, fuels the ongoing ambiguity among the public, leaving many unsure of when to commence their festivities and observances.
Regional Holiday Variations
The observance of Holi in 2026 will see a patchwork of holiday schedules across various Indian states, adding another layer to the date confusion. In several North-Western and Central regions, preparatory rituals and the Holika Dahan puja will be conducted on March 2nd. Conversely, other parts of these same regions will mark Holika Dahan on the following day, with Dhulandi celebrations commencing the subsequent morning. This regional divergence directly impacts school and bank holidays. For instance, in Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, Dhulandi is officially recognized as a public holiday on March 4th, a Wednesday. While Haryana and Punjab typically grant a full public holiday for Dhulandi, Delhi NCR and Punjab will have restricted or public holidays on March 4th, with some schools closing on March 3rd for community events, especially in Rajasthan. Maharashtra confirms school closures on Dhulandi in major cities like Mumbai and Pune.
Uttar Pradesh's Unique Calendar
Uttar Pradesh is experiencing its own distinct flavour of confusion regarding the Holi celebrations in 2026. The state government has tentatively announced an extended festive period during the first week of March for students. Adding to the schedule complexity, March 1st, 2026, falls on a Sunday, already a regular weekly holiday for school students as per the state's academic calendar. Furthermore, some educational institutions have indicated closures on March 2nd to accommodate Holika Dahan, while March 4th is earmarked as a holiday for the vibrant Dhulandi festivities. Given that Holika Dahan traditionally precedes Holi by one day, a pertinent question arises: will the Uttar Pradesh government also declare March 3rd a public holiday to align with the Holika Dahan observance, thereby bridging the gap between the two main days of the festival?
