The festival of colours, Holi, will be celebrated across the country on March 4 this year. Prior to that, Holika Dahan will be observed on March 2. The auspicious timing (shubh muhurat) for Holika Dahan is from 6:22 pm to 8:53 pm on Monday.
At the Radha-Krishna Temple in Ganj Bazar, the Holika Dahan ceremony will begin at 7 pm. Symbolic effigies of Holika and Prahlad will be placed at the temple premises. As per tradition, the effigy of Prahlad will be removed after rituals, followed by the ceremonial burning of Holika.
Lunar Eclipse Tomorrow; Sutak to Begin Nine Hours Earlier
The first lunar eclipse of the year will occur on March 3. The eclipse will begin at 3:20 pm and conclude at 6:46 pm, lasting for 3 hours and 27 minutes. The Sutak period will commence nine hours earlier at 6:20 am, during which all auspicious and ceremonial activities are considered prohibited.
The eclipse will occur in Leo (Singh Rashi) and under the Purva Phalguni Nakshatra and will be visible across India, increasing its religious significance.
Pandit Umesh Nautiyal of the Radha-Krishna Temple in Ganj Bazar said that during the Sutak period, temples are traditionally closed and devotees are advised not to touch idols or sacred objects. Cooking and eating food are also avoided during this period. Religious activities such as puja, havan and starting new ventures are considered inauspicious during the eclipse.
He added that before the Sutak period begins, it is customary to place kusha grass and tulsi leaves in liquids such as water, milk, ghee, oil, pickles and honey stored at home.
