Watch: India celebrates Holika Dahan with rituals and bonfires across states

As India celebrates the Holi 2025 festival on Friday communities across the country observed the sacred rituals of the Holika Dahan on Thursday evening with traditional bonfiresWATCH Maharashtra People perform Holika dahan in Mumbai pictwittercomfsGJxSnSRAmdash ANI ANI March 13 2025Visuals from several states including West Bengal Uttar Pradesh Odisha Bihar Karnataka Gujarat Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh showcased the diverse and unique ways in which citizens observed the festivities on the eve of Holi 2025 The rituals steeped in cultural significance symbolise the triumph of good over evilIn Madhya Pradeshs Sarafa Bazaar a large mound of cow dung cakes was set on fire with a statue of Holika placed on top ANI reports that this ecofriendly alternative is a conscious shift away from the traditional practice of burning wood reflecting growing environmental awarenessWATCH Poonch JampK Jawans of the 38th Battalion of the CRPF perform Holika Dahan on the eve of Holi pictwittercomvULi3Oetmamdash ANI ANI March 13 2025In West Bengal devotees were seen performing rituals around the fire carrying long bamboo sticks over their heads while chanting prayers The rhythmic movements and chants created a spiritual atmosphere highlighting the deeprooted cultural significance of the festivalWATCH West Bengal People performed Holika Dahan in Kolkata on the eve of Holi 1303 pictwittercomLMkdTnvWRsmdash ANI ANI March 13 2025Prominent political figures and members of the armed forces also participated in the Holika Dahan celebrations In Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch personnel from the 38th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF offered prasad into the fire as part of the ritual as per ANI Similarly in Punjab the Border Security Force BSF conducted a ceremony at the Khasa Cantonment in Amritsar where a tall fire was lit to mark the occasionIn Rajasthan Chaitanya Raj Singh a member of the former royal family of Jaisalmer took part in the festivities ANI reports that he sang traditional songs performed prayers and showered people with gulaal coloured powder in a vibrant celebration of traditionState leaders were also seen participating in Holika Dahan ceremonies Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the ritual in Gorakhpur where he was seen showering flower petals on devotees BJP MP Ravi Kishan was also present at the event Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde celebrated the festival at Varsha Bungalow the official residence of the Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also performed rituals at their respective residences as per ANIWATCH Uttar Pradesh People performed Holika Dahan and celebrated in Ayodhya on the eve of Holi 1303 pictwittercomuK0uLu01C1mdash ANI UPUttarakhand ANINewsUP March 13 2025Holika Dahan symbolises the victory of good over evil According to Hindu mythology Holika the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu was granted immunity from fire She attempted to kill her nephew Prahlad a devotee of Lord Vishnu by sitting with him in a fire However the boon failed and Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad remained unharmed signifying divine protection and the ultimate triumph of faith and righteousnessWith inputs from ANI