why is holika dahan performed
Answers
On the eve of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire. People also perform parikrama of fire.
Answer:
Holika Dahan is a festival celebrated one day before the festival of colours, Holi. It is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil and a triumph of a true devotee. There are many legends associated with this festival. One of the most significant legends is the story of Prahlad and his aunt, Holika.
Once there was a demon king, Hrinyakashyap who used to rule the whole earth. He wanted that everyone should worship him and not god. His son Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana. Prahlad worshipped the deity against the wish of his father, Hiranyakashyap. The demon king wanted Prahlad to worship him and not Lord Narayana. But when he did not do so, Hiranyakashyap got seriously annoyed with him and tried several ways to kill him.
However, he failed in his every attempt as Lord Vishnu (Narayana) saved his devotee, Prahlad every time. Finally, Hiranyakashyap took help of his sister, Holika. Holika was blessed by a boon which made her immune to fire. So Hiranyapashyap asked Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap so that he can be killed.
Holika sat on a pyre and coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap. Prahlad sat in Holika’s lap and started chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. The fire was lit but Prahlad came out of it unharmed with the grace of God. Holika lost her life and burnt to ashes. Actually, she did not know that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone. Since then the tradition of Holika Dahan has been religiously followed by Hindus across India.
Explanation:
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