Is Holi on March 3 or March 4? Check Correct Holika Dahan Timing, Lunar Eclipse Effect & Real Holi Date

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Holi 2026 Full Schedule: These days, everyone is quite confused about the date of Holi. Exactly when is Holi? Some people say it’s on March 3rd, while others say it’s on March 4th. Today, we’ll clear up this confusion for you. Holi is usually celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, but the calendar seems a bit complicated in 2026. The main reason for this is the lunar eclipse occurring on March 3rd.

1. When is Holika Dahan? (Night of March 2nd)

Holika Dahan always takes place on the night of the full moon, but special attention is paid to the “Bhadra” period. According to astrologers (such as Pandit Daivagya Krishna Shastri):

Correct time: Late night of March 2nd (i.e., early morning of March 3rd).

Auspicious time: Between 12:50 AM and 2:02 AM.

Reason: Scriptures state that performing Holika Dahan during the “Bhadra Tail” (the tail end of the Bhadra period) is considered most auspicious. This situation is occurring on the night of March 2nd.

2. Why is Holi not on March 3rd? (The shadow of Sutak)

This is where the most confusion lies. March 3rd is indeed the full moon day, but a lunar eclipse is also occurring on the same day.

Eclipse time: From 3:20 PM to 6:47 PM.

Sutak period: The Sutak period begins 9 hours before the eclipse (around 6:20 AM).

Rule: In Sanatan Dharma, celebrating any festival or playing with colors during the Sutak and eclipse period is considered inauspicious. Therefore, “Dhulandi” or the festival of colors will not be celebrated on March 3rd.

3. Festival of Colors (Dhulandi) – March 4th, 2026

Since the eclipse will end on the evening of March 3rd and purification rituals will follow, the festival of colors will be celebrated with great enthusiasm across India on Wednesday, March 4th.

Important Note: If you are planning a holiday or booking tickets to go home, consider March 4th as the main Holi day.

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About the Author

Snehlata Sinha

I began my journey in media with Radio Dhamal, where I honed my skills in radio broadcasting. After that, I spent two years at News24 and E24, gaining valuable experience in news reporting and journalism. For the past five years, I've been a lifestyle journalist at [Timesbull.Com ], specializing in...

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SnehlataSinha@timesbull.com Author at TimesBull TimesBull
I began my journey in media with Radio Dhamal, where I honed my skills in radio broadcasting. After that, I spent two years at News24 and E24, gaining valuable experience in news reporting and journalism. For the past five years, I've been a lifestyle journalist at [Timesbull.Com ], specializing in fashion, style, and Bollywood trends. I'm passionate about keeping my readers informed and inspired, and I love sharing my insights on the latest beauty remedies and celebrity gossip."Would you like me to add anything else, such as your social media handles or a specific area of expertise within fashion or beauty.
Snehlata Sinha - Author at TimesBull
About the Author

Snehlata Sinha

Snehlata Sinha - Author at TimesBull

I began my journey in media with Radio Dhamal, where I honed my skills in radio broadcasting. After that, I spent two years at News24 and E24, gaining valuable experience in news reporting and journalism. For the past five years, I've been a lifestyle journalist at [Timesbull.Com ], specializing in...

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