According to folk tales a king named Hiranyakashyap had the intense desire to be immortal. To this end he performed penances until he was granted a boon by the Gods. The king used his guile and cunning to get a boon that he thought made him immortal. Once the boon was granted Hiranyakashyap felt invincible and turned arrogant. He decreed that only he be worshipped as a god and punished anyone who did not accept his orders. His son, Prahlad, disagreed with his father and continued believing and worshipping Lord Vishnu.

This angered Hiranyakashyap and he made various attempts to kill his son. During one attempt on Prahlad's life, the king called upon his sister Holika for help. Holika had a special garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashyap asked her to sit on a bonfire with Prahlad, and tricked the boy to sit on her lap. However, as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Holika burnt to death and Prahlad came out unharmed.

The story of Holika Dahan (Holika's death) signifies the triumph of good over evil. Holika is associated with the annual bonfire on the night before Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.

This year Holika Dahan is being celebrated today - March 17, 2022
and Holi, the festival of colours, will be celebrated on March 18, 2022.