Holashtak

The observance of Holashtak is associated with the colorful festival of Holi. It refers to the eight-day period just before the celebrations of Holi.

The period of Holashtak is considered to be inauspicious by most of the Hindu communities in the Northern parts of India. According to the Purnimant calendar followed in North India, Holashtak starts from the ‘Ashtami’ (8th day) of the ‘Shukla Paksha’ (the period of the bright fortnight of moon) and continues till the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) of the ‘Falgun’ month.

The last day of Holashtak, that is, Falgun Purnima is the day for the observance of Holika Dahan in most of the regions. In the Gregorian calendar, Holashtak falls during the months of mid-February to mid-March. Holashtak is celebrated with full enthusiasm in Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and other regions of North India.

Holashtak 2021 starts on March 22, Monday, and ends with Holika Dahan on March 28, Sunday

Rituals during Holashtak

With the start of Holashtak, people start decorating the branch of a tree using colorful pieces of clothes. Each individual ties a piece of cloth on the branch and it is then finally buried in the ground. Few communities even burn these pieces of clothes during Holika Dahan.

Also on the beginning day of Holashtak, Falgun Shukla Paksha Ashtami, and a place is chosen for Holika Dahan. On each day small sticks are gathered and collected at the place of Holika Dahan.

The 9-day festival of Holi finally comes to end on the day of ‘Dhuleti’.
The day of Holashtak is ideal for doing ‘Daan’ or offering donations. During this time one must generously donate clothes, grains, money, and other essential commodities as per their financial status.

Significance of Holashtak

Holashtak is a word made from two different words, ‘Holi’ and ‘Ashtak’ (8th day) implying the eight days of Holi. In the Hindu community, the period of Holashtak is considered to be unfavorable.

Therefore auspicious ceremonies like marriages, child naming sanskar, housewarming, and any other 16 Hindu Sanskars or rituals are avoided during this period. In some communities, people even do not prefer starting a new business venture during the Holashtak period.

This is due to the fact that during the period of Holashtak, Hindu planets like the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, and Venus undergo transformations.

The period of Holashtak is considered to be very favorable for Tantriks as they can easily achieve their goals through ‘Saadhna’. The celebrations of Holi start with the beginning of Holashtak and come to an end on ‘Dhuleti’, the day following Falgun Purnima.