}}

}}

[[File:Holi bonfire on Holi eve 2012.webm|thumb|Holi bonfire on Holi eve in Delhi, 2012]]

[[File:Holi bonfire on Holi eve 2012.webm|thumb|Holi bonfire on Holi eve in Delhi, 2012]]

'''Holika Dahan''' ({{Langx|sa|होलिका दहन|lit=Burning of Holika|translit=Holikā Dahana}}), rendered '''Holika Dahanam''' in [[Sanskrit]] or '''Chotti Holi''', is a [[Hindu festival]] in which a bonfire is lit to celebrate the burning of the demoness - [[Holika]]{{Cite book |last=Galván |first=Javier A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e2RyBAAAQBAJ&dq=choti+holi&pg=PA137 |title=They Do What? A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World |date=2014-06-19 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-342-4 |pages=137 |language=en}}. This ritual is symbolic of victory of good over evil.{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=287 |language=en}} It precedes [[Holi]], the festival of colours, which celebrates the spring season.{{Cite book |last=Gakhar |first=Roshan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E8dyEAAAQBAJ&dq=holika+dahan&pg=PT65 |title=Human Nature: Love & Happiness |date=2022-06-17 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-88704-336-4 |pages=65 |language=en}} According to legend, Holika was the sister of [[Hiranyakashipu]], who acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She then attempted to kill her nephew, [[Prahlada]], by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. However, she was immolated while Prahlada was saved from the fire.

'''Holika Dahan''' ({{Langx|sa|होलिका दहन|lit=Burning of Holika|translit=Holikā Dahana}}), rendered '''Holika Dahanam''' in [[Sanskrit]] or '''Choti Holi''', is a [[Hindu festival]] in which a bonfire is lit to celebrate the burning of the demoness - [[Holika]]{{Cite book |last=Galván |first=Javier A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e2RyBAAAQBAJ&dq=choti+holi&pg=PA137 |title=They Do What? A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World |date=2014-06-19 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-342-4 |pages=137 |language=en}}. This ritual is symbolic of victory of good over evil.{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=287 |language=en}} It precedes [[Holi]], the festival of colours, which celebrates the spring season.{{Cite book |last=Gakhar |first=Roshan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E8dyEAAAQBAJ&dq=holika+dahan&pg=PT65 |title=Human Nature: Love & Happiness |date=2022-06-17 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-88704-336-4 |pages=65 |language=en}} According to legend, Holika was the sister of [[Hiranyakashipu]], who acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She then attempted to kill her nephew, [[Prahlada]], by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. However, she was immolated while Prahlada was saved from the fire.

[[File:Holikadahan.jpg|thumb|Holika Dahan at [[Koparkhairane railway station|Koparkhairane]] in [[Navi Mumbai]], 2025]]

[[File:Holikadahan.jpg|thumb|Holika Dahan at [[Koparkhairane railway station|Koparkhairane]] in [[Navi Mumbai]], 2025]]