New Delhi [India]: As India prepares to celebrate the festival of colors, Holi, communities across the country observed Holika Dahan on Thursday evening with bonfires and traditional rituals.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: People performed Holika Dahan and celebrated in Ayodhya, on the eve of #Holi (13/03) pic.twitter.com/uK0uLu01C1
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 13, 2025
Visuals from states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh showcased unique regional practices for the ceremonial event.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: People perform Holika dahan in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/fsGJxSnSRA
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | West Bengal: People performed Holika Dahan in Kolkata, on the eve of Holi (13/03) pic.twitter.com/LMkdTnvWRs
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Holika Dahan being performed at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple. pic.twitter.com/27KT4GruRw
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
In Madhya Pradesh’s Sarafa Bazaar, an eco-friendly approach replaced the traditional burning of wood — a large mound of cow dung cakes was set ablaze with a statue of Holika placed on top.
#WATCH | Punjab: Holika Dahan celebrations taking place at BSF Camp in Amritsar's Khasa Cantt. pic.twitter.com/V8kS9a3fGK
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | People take part in Holika Dahan celebrations in Chandigarh. pic.twitter.com/o0Fsrkmjvl
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | Delhi: People participate in Holika dahan celebrations at ISKCON Dwarka. pic.twitter.com/KwkAl2buC7
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: People take part in Holika dahan celebrations in Raipur's Mahakali Temple. pic.twitter.com/ki8BNleRZO
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | Poonch, J&K | Jawans of the 38th Battalion of the CRPF perform Holika Dahan on the eve of Holi. pic.twitter.com/vULi3Oetma
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
#WATCH | Karnataka: On the eve of the festival of #Holi, people perfom #HolikaDahan in Kalaburagi. pic.twitter.com/hw0bsifzxa
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
In West Bengal, devotees circled the bonfire with bamboo sticks held over their heads while chanting prayers, reflecting a distinct cultural touch.
#WATCH | Gujarat: On the eve of the festival of #Holi, people perform #HolikaDahan in Gandhinagar. pic.twitter.com/i4ZCw2CWgz
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
Leaders and security forces also participated in the celebrations. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, personnel from the 38th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) offered prasad to the fire. In Punjab, the Border Security Force (BSF) lit a towering bonfire at Amritsar’s Khasa Cantonment to mark the occasion.
Rajasthan’s Chaitanya Raj Singh, a member of Jaisalmer’s erstwhile royal family, participated in the festivities, singing traditional songs and showering people with gulaal.
Several political leaders attended Holika Dahan ceremonies across India. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath joined devotees in Gorakhpur, showering flower petals on the crowd. BJP MP Ravi Kishan was also present. Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde marked the occasion at Varsha Bungalow, the official CM residence. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma performed rituals at their respective residences.
Holika Dahan symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. As per Hindu mythology, Holika — the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu — was granted immunity from fire. Attempting to kill her nephew Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, Holika sat with him in a fire. However, her immunity failed, and she perished while Prahlad emerged unscathed.
The event continues to unite people in celebration, paving the way for the joyous Holi festival.