Holika dahan is the day when Holika is burnt down to ashes. But on this day Lord Shiva also burnt kamdeva, and Lord Krishna also killed demoness Putana. Therefore, devotees also do puja of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna at their homes on that day.

Materials Required for Holi Puja

First one has to collect these materials required for Holi Puja:

1. An earthen lamp filled with ghee – 1 in nos.
2. Dhoop stick or agarbatti – 1 in nos.
3. Flowers – few
4. Chandan, ashtagandh or roli
5. Dry coconut and sweets (Gujia, Gajar ka Halwa, Malpua etc.)
6. Akshat (unbroken raw rice)
7. Moong lentil
8. Dry turmeric pieces – few
9. Raw yarn (soot ki kookdi) – 2 small spindle in nos.
10. Badkula garland or Gulari (garland made of cow dung) minimum 5 in nos.
11. Grains (barley, green chana etc.)

Note: – Leave 4 Badkula garlands at home on the name of Lord Hanuman, Pitra, Goddess Shitala and your house. Take rest of all badkula garlands with you.

Now do this Holi Puja before Holika Dahan (also known as Thandi Holi Puja) :

• Keep all Puja ingredients in a plate. Accompany a small water pot with Puja Thali.
• First of all, light the earthen lamp and dhoop stick.
• While on the Puja spot, sit down such that either facing the East or the North direction. After that sprinkle some water on the Puja Thali and oneself while chanting following Mantra thrice.

ऊँ पुण्डरीकाक्ष: पुनातु। x 3

Above Mantra is to remember Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings before starting any auspicious work. It is also done to purify the place of worship.

• Now take the water, rice, flower and some money in the right hand and take Sankalp.

ऊँ विष्णु: विष्णु: विष्णु: श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया अद्य दिवसे

By chanting above Mantra, one is reciting currently prevailing Hindu date, place of worship, his family surname and his name, including purpose of Puja and to whom Puja is offered, so that all the benefits of Puja are targeted to the worshipper.

• Now remember Lord Ganesha after taking flower and rice in the right hand. The Mantra to chant while remembering Lord Ganesha is –

गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजम्बूफलचारुभक्षणम्।

उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपमजम्।।

ऊँ गं गणपतये नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।

While reciting above Mantra, apply Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to Lord Ganesha.

• After worshipping Lord Ganesha, remember Goddess Ambika and chant following Mantra. While reciting below Mantra, applying Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to Goddess Ambika.

ऊँ अम्बिकायै नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि सर्मपयामि।।

• Now remember Lord Narasimha by chanting following Mantra. While reciting below Mantra, applying Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to Lord Narasimha.

ऊँ नृसिंहाय नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।।

• Now remember devotee Prahlada and chant following Mantra. While reciting below Mantra, applying Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to devotee Prahlada.

ऊँ प्रह्लादाय नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।।

• Now stand in front of Holi with folded hands and request to fulfill your wishes while chanting following Mantra.

असृक्पाभयसंत्रस्तै: कृता त्वं होलि बालिशै:

अतस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूते भूतिप्रदा भव:।।

It means that some foolish and childish people, due to constant fear of blood sucking demons, created Holika. Hence, I worship you and seek power, wealth and prosperity for myself.

• Offer rice, fragrances, flower, unbreakable Moong lentil, turmeric pieces, coconut and Bharbholiye (garland made of dried cow dung which is also known as Gulari and Badkula) to Holika. Three, five or seven rounds of raw yarn are tied around the Holika while circumambulating it. After that empty the water pot in front of Holika pile.

Holika Dahan or Holi Fire After Holi Puja

Holika is burnt after that. Usually, the fire from the public bonfire is brought home to burn Holika. After that, all men wear auspicious mark of Holi and take blessings from elders. People circumambulate Holika and offer new crops to the bonfire and roast them. The roasted grains are distributed as Holika Prasad.

Next morning, on the day of wet Holi, the ash from the bonfire is collected and smeared on the body. The ash is considered pious and it is believed that body and soul is purified after applying it. By using the ash of bonfire many remedies are suggested by astrologers. This way Holi puja is performed in each home all over India. Customs may vary according to place.