Holi 2026 Date: Lunar Eclipse Changes Holi Date; Know what pundits say

New Delhi: Holi is a Hindu festival where people forget all their grievances and share joy with one another. Friends, family, and neighbors celebrate the festival together by applying colors and powder to each other. The day before Holi, Holika Dahan takes place, where a bonfire is lit to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

According to the Hindu calendar, Holika Dahan is performed on the night of the full moon in the month of Phalguna, and the festival of colors, Holi, is celebrated the following day, also on the full moon of Phalguna. On this day, people greet each other, share sweets, and enjoy the festivities together. There is considerable confusion among people regarding the date of Holi in 2026.

Some are saying March 3rd, while others are saying March 4th. The main reason for this confusion this year is that a lunar eclipse is occurring on the full moon of Phalguna. According to astrological calculations, this year, the festival of colors will not be celebrated on March 3, but across the country on March 4, 2026.

Holika Dahan will be performed on the night of March 2. According to the Drik Panchang, a lunar eclipse is occurring on the full moon day of Phalguna in 2026.  In such a situation, according to tradition and scriptures, playing Holi on the day of an eclipse is not considered auspicious. Therefore, it has been advised to postpone Holi by one day and celebrate it on March 4.

When will Holika Dahan take place?

According to astrologers, the auspicious time for Holika Dahan will be on the night of March 2, 2026. Due to the presence of Bhadra on this day, the time for the burning of the effigy has been set for the night. Pandits say that Holika Dahan should not be performed during the Bhadra period. Therefore, the time between 12:50 AM and 2:02 AM on the night of March 2nd is considered the most suitable for Holika Dahan.

Why won't Holi be celebrated on March 3?

March 3, 2026, is the day of Phalguna Purnima, but a lunar eclipse is also occurring on this day. According to scriptures, no auspicious work is done during an eclipse and the subsequent Sutak period. Therefore, playing Holi with colors on March 3 is not considered appropriate. This is why most pandits and almanacs are advising celebrating Holi on March 4.

When will the Sutak period begin?

The Sutak period begins approximately 9 hours before the lunar eclipse. According to calculations, the Sutak period will begin on the morning of March 3rd. Therefore, one should avoid celebrating auspicious festivals like Holi on this day. It is customary to refrain from prayers and religious activities during the Sutak period. According to calculations, the moon will rise in India around 5:59 PM, and the end of the eclipse will be visible from that time until approximately 6:47 PM. The Sutak period will be valid from around 6:20 AM on March 3, 2026.  There is no tradition of performing prayers or auspicious activities during the Sutak period.

Where will the lunar eclipse be visible?

This lunar eclipse will be visible in India, as well as in East Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and parts of America. In India, only the last part of the eclipse, i.e., the end of the eclipse, will be visible, not the entire duration. The fact that the end of the eclipse will be visible after moonrise has also contributed to the confusion regarding the date of Holi.

What is the opinion of the pandits?

Astrologers say that according to tradition, Holika Dahan is performed at night, and Holi with colors is played the following morning. However, this time, due to the eclipse and the associated inauspicious period, playing Holi on March 3 is not considered appropriate. Therefore, all major almanacs and priests recommend that Holi be celebrated on March 4, 2026.