Holi 2026 and 2027: date, muhurat and meaning
Quick answer
Holi 2027 falls on Tuesday, 23 March 2027 (Delhi). By another convention: 22 March 2027. Holi, the festival of colours, begins with the Holika Dahan bonfire on Phalguna Purnima evening; the next day, Dhulandi, people smear colour, share sweets and celebrate good triumphing over evil.
Key takeaways
- 2026: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
- 2027: Tuesday, 23 March 2027
- Each year's section explains which rule gave the date and how the muhurat was cut to the tithi.
- All times are for Delhi; abroad the tithi follows local time, so the date can differ by a day.
What is Holi?
Holi is really two days. On the evening of Phalguna Purnima, the full Moon that closes winter, communities light the Holika Dahan bonfire. The next morning is Dhulandi, the day of colours, which in the North Indian calendar is Chaitra Krishna Pratipada, the first day of a new month. Together they mark the end of winter, the ripening of the wheat crop and the carefree mood of spring.
The bonfire recalls the story of Prahlad, a boy devoted to Vishnu, whose father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu, wanted him dead. The king's sister Holika, protected from fire by a boon, sat in a blaze with Prahlad on her lap; she burned and he walked out unharmed. The play of colours is tied to Krishna and Radha in Braj. So Holi carries two messages: goodness outlasts arrogance, and old grudges can be washed away.
How Holi is observed
In the days before, neighbourhoods collect wood and cow-dung cakes for the pyre. On the evening itself, women offer water, kumkum, rice, flowers, raw cotton thread and coconut, and walk around the pile. Once it is lit, people roast fresh ears of wheat and green chickpeas in the flames and share them. Next morning the colours come out: dry gulal, water guns and buckets. By afternoon everyone bathes, changes and visits friends and relatives.
Kitchens turn out gujiya (sweet stuffed pastries), malpua, dahi vada and thandai, a chilled spiced milk. In Braj the festivities last for days, and the lathmar Holi of Barsana is famous. Sikhs celebrate Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib, Bengal has Dol Jatra, and Goa celebrates Shigmo. Abroad, temples and community groups host colour festivals in parks, often welcoming neighbours of every background. Natural, skin-friendly colours are increasingly the norm.
Holi 2026: date and muhurat (Delhi)
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Pratipada (Krishna Paksha) is present at sunrise on this day (udaya tithi).
Main date for Rangwali Holi: the day Chaitra Krishna Pratipada is present at sunrise. In 2027 this is also the central government holiday (DoPT).
By the day-after-Holika-Dahan convention (drikpanchang): Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
- Tithi
- 3 Mar, 5:07 PM – 4 Mar, 4:49 PM
- Holika Dahan date
- Monday, 2 March 2026
- Holika Dahan muhurat
- 6:22 PM, 2 Mar – 8:50 PM, 2 Mar
- Alternative (after Bhadra, before sunrise)
- 5:29 AM, 3 Mar – 6:44 AM, 3 Mar
- Bhadra
- 5:56 PM, 2 Mar – 5:29 AM, 3 Mar
- Bhadra Punchha
- 1:26 AM, 3 Mar – 2:35 AM, 3 Mar
- Bhadra Mukha (never used)
- 2:35 AM, 3 Mar – 4:31 AM, 3 Mar
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:43 AM / 6:23 PM
- Rahu kaal (this day)
- 12:33 PM – 2:01 PM
Rule 6: Bhadra lasts past midnight and Punchha is not between pradosh and midnight, so in pradosh (avoiding Bhadra Mukha).
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 6:22 PM, 2 Mar – 8:50 PM, 2 Mar
Timing matters most for the bonfire. Holika Dahan is done on Phalguna Purnima during pradosh kaal, the period just after sunset, but only when Bhadra is not in effect. Bhadra (also called Vishti karana) is a phase of the panchang considered unsuitable for auspicious beginnings, so if it overlaps the evening, the bonfire waits until Bhadra ends or follows the exceptions the texts allow. The colours are played the following day, in daylight. Delhi's Holika Dahan window, with the Bhadra timings, is given in the muhurat section of this page.
Holi 2027: date and muhurat (Delhi)
Tuesday, 23 March 2027
Pratipada (Krishna Paksha) is present at sunrise on this day (udaya tithi).
Main date for Rangwali Holi: the day Chaitra Krishna Pratipada is present at sunrise. In 2027 this is also the central government holiday (DoPT).
By the day-after-Holika-Dahan convention (drikpanchang): Monday, 22 March 2027.
Central government holiday (Delhi/New Delhi, DoPT): Holi, Tuesday 23 March 2027.
- Tithi
- 22 Mar, 4:13 PM – 23 Mar, 2:28 PM
- Holika Dahan date
- Sunday, 21 March 2027
- Holika Dahan muhurat
- 6:33 PM, 21 Mar – 8:54 PM, 21 Mar
- Alternative (after Bhadra, before sunrise)
- 5:15 AM, 22 Mar – 6:23 AM, 22 Mar
- Bhadra
- 6:22 PM, 21 Mar – 5:15 AM, 22 Mar
- Bhadra Punchha
- 1:27 AM, 22 Mar – 2:32 AM, 22 Mar
- Bhadra Mukha (never used)
- 2:32 AM, 22 Mar – 4:21 AM, 22 Mar
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:22 AM / 6:34 PM
- Rahu kaal (this day)
- 3:31 PM – 5:02 PM
Rule 6: Bhadra lasts past midnight and Punchha is not between pradosh and midnight, so in pradosh (avoiding Bhadra Mukha).
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 6:33 PM, 21 Mar – 8:55 PM, 21 Mar
Holi wishes
May your life be as bright as the colours of Holi and your relationships as sweet as gujiya. Happy Holi to you and your family!Send this on WhatsApp
More wishes will be added here soon.
Related festivals and lists
Frequently asked questions
Which day is Holi played with colours?
Colours are played the day after Holika Dahan. The bonfire is lit on the evening of Phalguna Purnima, and the next day, called Dhulandi or Dhuleti, is when people smear gulal and spray coloured water. In Braj the celebrations begin days earlier, while parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh also play colours on Rang Panchami a few days later. This year's and next year's dates are at the top of this page (for Delhi).
Why is Holika Dahan done the night before Holi?
The bonfire re-enacts the burning of Holika and the escape of Prahlad, so the triumph over evil comes first and the celebration follows. It is lit on the full Moon night of Phalguna, the last month of the year in the North Indian calendar, which makes it a farewell to the old year. Roasting new grain in the fire gives thanks for the harvest before the joyful colours of the next morning.
Why is Bhadra avoided for Holika Dahan?
Bhadra, also called Vishti, is one of the karanas (half-tithi divisions) of the panchang, and it is considered unsuitable for auspicious beginnings. The texts specifically say Holika Dahan should be done in pradosh kaal free of Bhadra. If Bhadra continues late into the night, some traditions permit the bonfire during its final part, called Bhadra punchh. Delhi timings are given in the muhurat section of this page; in other cities they shift by a few minutes.
How is Holika Dahan puja done?
Gather at the pyre before it is lit. Offer water, kumkum, rice, flowers, jaggery, turmeric, whole moong and a coconut. Wind raw cotton thread around the pyre three or seven times as you walk around it. After it is lit, roast ears of wheat or green chickpeas in the flames and share them as prasad. Many families carry home a pinch of the ash, which is considered auspicious.
What sweets are made for Holi?
Gujiya, a crescent-shaped pastry filled with sweetened khoya and dry fruit, is the star of Holi in North India. Alongside it come malpua (sweet pancakes), dahi vada, mathri and thandai, a cooling milk drink with nuts and spices. Bengal enjoys sandesh at Dol, Bihar makes pua, and Maharashtra prepares puran poli. Every region has its own spread, but sharing it with others is the real tradition.
How can you play Holi safely?
Choose dry gulal or natural colours made from flowers and turmeric, and avoid harsh chemical dyes. Rub a little oil into hair and skin beforehand so the colour washes out easily. Never force colour on someone who does not want it, keep colours away from animals, and try not to waste water. Keep an eye on young children and elders. Holi is meant to be fun for everyone.