Holashtak is an auspicious period of days before Holi which is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindu devotees and is accompanied by certain dos and don’ts. This year, Holi will be observed on March 25. Holashtak starts eight days before this festival. Holashtak commences with Falgun Shukla Paksha Ashtai and concludes with Falgun Shukla Paksha Purinma. It originates from the beginning of the Ashtami date till the day of Holika Dahan.
According to certain religious beliefs, auspicious works do not yield good results during Holashtak. Acharya Pradeep Lakheda, resident of Chamoli, Uttarakhand, said that during Holashtak, many rituals like marriage, naming, house-warming and Mundan Sanskar are banned. Apart from this, Yagya and Havan should also not be performed during the period of Holashtak.
As per Hindu beliefs, investments or new businesses should not be started during this period. It is believed that by doing this the risk of loss increases. During Holashtak, it is also advised to not buy new houses and movable or immovable properties like jewellery or cars, added Acharya Pradeep Lakheda. Along with this, the construction of houses should also not be started during this period.
Pandit Lakheda added that according to the legend, King Hiranyakashyap had fixed the full moon date of the month of Phalgun to kill his son Prahlad who was a great devotee of Vishnu. Eight days before immersing his son in the fire, Hirankashyap tortured Prahlad many times. Prahlad went through so much suffering that he became a devotee of his father due to feat but even then he did not leave the path of devotion to Lord Vishnu. After being unable to break his devotion, Hirankashyap asked for help from his sister Holika.
Holika was blessed with a special cloak by deities that would make her immune from burning in fire. Hiranyakashyap ordered his sister to sit in the fire with Prahlad in her lap so that he would burn to death. Following her brother’s orders, Holika sat in the fire with Prahlad on her lap. However, Prahlad prayed to lord Vishnu to save him. As the flame surrounded the two, it is believed that the special fire shielding cloak flew from Holika and covered Prahlad, hence saving the little child while Holika was burnt to ashes. All these incidents happened in those eight days, known as Holashtak. This is why all auspicious works are prohibited 8 days before Holi.
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