Holi Puja Vidhi: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

Significance of Holi Puja

Holi is a festival of colors and joy, but before the grand celebration, Holika Dahan holds immense religious significance. It is believed that performing Holika Puja on Holi helps in overcoming fears and attracting power, prosperity, and wealth. The legend of Prahlada and Holika highlights the victory of devotion and righteousness over evil, making this puja highly auspicious.

According to Hindu religious texts, Holika Puja should be performed before Holika Dahan. The timing for Holika Dahan should be determined based on the Hindu Panchang to avoid any misfortune. Performing this puja at the correct time brings blessings, whereas doing it at an inauspicious time may result in obstacles.

Puja Samagri (Required Materials)

The following items are required for performing Holika Puja:

• Water bowl (Kalash)
• Beads or toys made of cow dung (Gulari, Bharbholiye, or Badkula)
• Roli (Red sacred powder)
• Unbroken rice grains (Akshat)
• Fragrances (Agarbatti, Dhoop)
• Flowers
• Raw cotton thread (Moli)
• Turmeric pieces
• Whole green gram (Moong Dal)
• Batasha (Sugar candies)
• Gulal powder
• Coconut
• Freshly harvested grains (Wheat and gram)

Holika Sthapana (Preparation for Holika Dahan)

1. Cleanse the area where Holika will be placed using cow dung and holy water (Ganga Jal).
2. Place a wooden pole in the center and surround it with cow dung toys and beads.
3. Idols of Holika and Prahlada, usually made of cow dung, are placed on top of the heap.
4. The Holika pile is decorated with symbols like shields, swords, the sun, the moon, and stars.

During Holika Dahan, the idol of Prahlada is removed, and four beads of cow dung are set aside for ancestors, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Sheetala, and the family.

Step-by-Step Holika Puja Vidhi

Step 1: Purification Mantra

Before beginning the puja, purify yourself and the puja space by sprinkling water thrice while chanting:

ऊँ पुण्डरीकाक्ष: पुनातु। (x3)

This mantra is recited to invoke Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings before performing any auspicious activity.

Step 2: Sankalp (Resolution)

Take water, rice, flowers, and money in your right hand and recite the following Sankalp mantra to declare your intent:

ऊँ विष्णु: विष्णु: विष्णु: श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया अद्य दिवसे [संवत्सर का नाम] नाम संवत्सरे संवत् [वर्ष] फाल्गुन मासे शुभे शुक्लपक्षे पूर्णिमायां शुभ तिथि [वार] गौत्रोत्पन्न: [स्वयं का नाम] मम इह जन्मनि जन्मान्तरे सर्वपापक्षयपूर्वक दीर्घायु-विपुलधन-धान्यं शत्रुपराजय मम् दैहिक दैविक भौतिक त्रिविध ताप निवृत्यर्थं सदभीष्टसिद्धयर्थे प्रह्लादनृसिंहहोली इत्यादीनां पूजनमहं करिष्यामि।

This mantra states your name, gotra (lineage), the current date, and the purpose of the puja.

Step 3: Worship of Lord Ganesha

Take a flower and rice in your right hand and recite:

गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजम्बूफलचारुभक्षणम्। उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपमजम्॥

ऊँ गं गणपतये नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।

Apply Roli and rice on a flower and offer it to Lord Ganesha along with fragrance.

Step 4: Worship of Goddess Ambika

Take flower and rice, and recite:

ऊँ अम्बिकायै नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि सर्मपयामि।

Offer them to Goddess Ambika for divine protection and blessings.

Step 5: Worship of Lord Narasimha

Take flower and rice, and recite:

ऊँ नृसिंहाय नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।

Offer the Roli-applied flower to Lord Narasimha, the protector of devotees.

Step 6: Worship of Prahlada

Take flower and rice, and recite:

ऊँ प्रह्लादाय नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।

Offer them to Prahlada, representing devotion and righteousness.

Step 7: Prayers to Holika for Blessings

Stand with folded hands and recite:

असृक्पाभयसंत्रस्तै: कृता त्वं होलि बालिशै: अतस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूते भूतिप्रदा भव:॥

This means: “O Holika! People worship you due to the fear of demonic forces. Please bestow wealth, power, and prosperity.”

Step 8: Offering to Holika

• Offer rice, fragrance, flowers, lentils, turmeric, coconut, and cow dung beads to Holika.
• Circumambulate Holika three, five, or seven times while tying a raw cotton thread around it.
• Pour the water bowl (Kalash) in front of Holika as an offering.

Holika Dahan (Lighting the Bonfire)

1. Light the bonfire, using fire brought from a temple or a traditional source.
2. Offer roasted grains to the fire and distribute them as Holika Prasad.
3. Apply Roli tilak and seek blessings from elders.
4. Next morning, collect the bonfire ashes and apply them to the body for purification.

Conclusion

Performing Holika Puja properly brings divine blessings and protection. The puja signifies the triumph of good over evil, and the ashes of Holika Dahan are considered sacred, believed to ward off negativity. By following this detailed Holi Puja Vidhi, devotees can ensure a prosperous and obstacle-free life.

May the divine blessings of Lord Narasimha and Prahlada bring joy, prosperity, and success in your life this Holi! 🎉🔥🌸