Holika Dahan and Holi 2026 and 2027: Dates and Muhurat in 49 Cities

Holi is the festival of colours, kept on the day after Holika Dahan. Holika Dahan is the evening bonfire on the night of the full Moon (Purnima) of the month of Phalguna, and it recalls the story of Prahlada and Holika. The bonfire is lit after sunset, and on the following morning people meet, play with colours and share sweets. Both days are listed in the tables below.

The date of Holika Dahan is fixed by two conditions. Purnima must be in force in the Pradosh, the period just after sunset, and the fire should be lit when Bhadra is not running. Bhadra is a part of the tithi that traditional calendars avoid for auspicious work. Where Bhadra covers the whole of Pradosh, the muhurat moves later, and in some years the calendar takes the night on which these conditions fit best. The muhurat window is the time between the end of Bhadra (or sunset) and the end of Pradosh.

Why do cities differ? Purnima begins and ends at the same moment everywhere, but sunset comes at a different clock time in each city, and so does the start and end of Bhadra as seen on the local clock. One city can have Purnima at its Pradosh on one evening and another city on the next. Holi is then simply the next civil day.

A calm note: a bonfire is a community event, and the exact minute matters less than gathering safely. Follow local fire rules, keep children at a distance, and use skin-safe colours if you play Holi. If your family or temple keeps a different evening, it is right to follow them.

Frequently asked questions