In India, we typically celebrate the festival of Holi for two days, although preparations for the same can begin weeks in advance. The major events of the Holi celebration are the Holika Dahan – the burning of the devil Holika to mark the victory of good over evil and the color throwing – in which we throw colors on each other.
Holi 2023 will be celebrated on 8th March, i.e., Wednesday, in India. And March 7th (full moon night) will be the time for Holika Dahan. The Holika Dahan muhurta, or the auspicious time, will start from 06:24 PM to 08:51 PM.
March 8th is the official Holi 2023 when the whole country moves to the streets to celebrate the festival. Holi’s date is defined by the Indian calendar and varies every year. It is generally celebrated in March of the Gregorian Calendar, periodically in late February.
Holi 2023 is celebrated on the last full moon day or Purnima of Falgun, the 12th Hindu calendar month. Moreover, the Holashtak is from February 28th to March 7th, eight days before Holi. People believe these are inauspicious days and big things like buying a house, getting married, or starting a business.
Holi is celebrated because the Prahlad was saved for his extreme devotion to the lord, while Holika was burnt in the fire. The practice of burning Holika or the ‘Holika Dahan comes mostly from this story.
Holi also celebrates the goddess Radha and god Krishna, describing the intense delight Krishna took in applying color to Radha and other gopis. Mythology also remarks that Holi is celebrating the death of Ogress Pootana, who tried to kill the infant Krishna.
Another reason which is quite prevalent in Southern India is that of Lord Shiva and Kamadeva. People in the south commemorate the sacrifice of the Lord of Passion, Kamadeva, who endangered his life to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and protect the world.
Today is a public holiday on account of Holi and Doljatra in various states in India. The Government of India has declared a Gazetted Holiday today on account of the Holi Festival for its employees on 8.3.2023 (Wednesday). Holi is a colorful festival celebrated in most regions of India!
Today (8.03.2023) is the Second Wednesday of the month of March and the 10th week of the year 2023.