Dhuleti Holi, the Hindu festival marked by colors, fun and gaiety, falls on the day after full moon day in the month of Phalgun (February – March). Dhuleti 2025 date is March 14 and is the day when people play with Holi colors. The first day of the festival is the Holika Dahan or lighting of bonfire and it is on March 13.
The festival is largely associated with Lord Krishna. It is said that Krishna in his childhood and teenage played Holi with his Gopas and Gopis.
Dhuleti Holi celebrations begin on Rang Pashi, three days earlier to Holika Dahan. All family members gather at home; and gulal is sprinkled on all by the eldest family member. Women wear their special Holi dandiya saris.
On the Purnima day is the Holika Dahan and bonfires are lit on this day. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demon Holika carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries.
The next day is Dhuleti or Parva. People visit homes of relatives, friends neighbors and play Holi with colors.
Gulal made up of colors likes pink, magenta, red, yellow and green are an indispensable part of Dhuleti Holi. Tesu, or ‘flame of the forest,’ the flower of the Palash tree is another important material used. Dried Tesu flowers when mixed water creates a beautiful saffron-reddish color. It is said that Krishna played Holi with a pichkaris (a brass syringe which sprays water).
There are numerous reasons for celebrating Dhuleti, the most popular belief is that people celebrate the victory of good over evil on the day.
Another popular belief is that the celebrations herald the arrival of spring season by taking inspiration from the myriads of colors in nature’s bounty.
Another popular belief is that the celebrations herald the arrival of spring season by taking inspiration from the myriads of colors in nature’s bounty.
It is also believed that the season in which Holi is celebrated sees numerous weather changes and this result in skin diseases and other viral attacks. So the playing of Holi using Natural colors extracted from medicinal herbs was a method used by ancient Indians to fight the common diseases occurring during the season. They used to make Holi colors from Neem, Kum Kum, Haldi, Bilva and other medicinal herbs.
Another major highlight of Dhuleti is the drinking of a special drink called thandai, which is consumed along with bhang.