🔥 Holikā Dahana During Grahaṇa
Dharma Sindhu Based Tithi-Nirṇaya (with the eclipse-specific sentence)
A common doubt arises when Phālguṇa Pūrṇimā coincides with a Chandra Grahaṇa (Lunar Eclipse): should Holikā Dahana be postponed?
Dharma Sindhu (Phālguṇa-Pūrṇimā-prakaraṇa) treats Holikā as a tithi-niyata annual observance, and therefore its decision framework differs from muhūrta-based auspicious ceremonies (like marriage, grihapraveśa, etc.).
1) Primary rule: Pūrṇimā + Pradoṣa
फाल्गुनपूर्णिमायां प्रदोषव्यापिन्यां होलिकादाहः।Holikā Dahana is performed when Phālguṇa Pūrṇimā prevails during Pradoṣa-kāla.
This establishes the default: when Pūrṇimā is present in Pradoṣa, Holikā Dahana is performed then.
2) The eclipse-specific Dharma Sindhu decision (from underlined line)
इदं चन्द्रग्रहणसत्त्वे धर्मस्यैक्यकार्यं प्रदोषे यदि नैव तदोषपूर्णिमासत्त्वे होलिकामध्यककार्यं ॥Meaning (English): If there is a lunar eclipse, Holikā procedure is treated as compatible with the eclipse-dharma; and if it cannot be performed in Pradoṣa, then while Pūrṇimā still prevails it should be performed in the middle portion (Holikā-madhyaka) of the night, before the midnight. Here the Holi should be done in pradosha Kala even if there is a grahan or sutaka.
This line is crucial because it explicitly addresses Chandra Grahaṇa and gives a practical fallback: if standard Pradoṣa performance becomes unsuitable/blocked, the observance is still done on the same Pūrṇimā, in the Holikā-madhyaka portion while the tithi remains, before the midnight ends. Here the Holi should be done in pradosha Kala even if there is a grahan or sutaka.
Detailed explanation.
Dharmasindhu adds, “Except for leaving out the very beginning of Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) or the very end portion of Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi), Holi should be performed during Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) itself.
If on the second day there is no contact (touch) of the Purnima during Pradosha time, and on the first day Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) ends during Nishitha (midnight period), then Holi should be kindled after Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) has ended.
If Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) ends after Nishitha time, then leaving aside the opening portion (mukha) of Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi), Holi should be performed within Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) itself.
If Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) begins during Pradosha time, then Holi should be kindled after Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi), or after Pradosha.
If on both days there is no touch of the Full Moon during Pradosha, and on the first day there is the tail-end (concluding portion) of Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi), then Holi should be performed during that period itself.
If such a portion is not available, then Holi should be performed in Kalyāṇī (Bhadrā/Viṣṭi) itself after Pradosha time.”
3) Why Holikā is not treated like ordinary “auspicious ceremonies”
- तिथिनियत वार्षिक उत्सवकर्म — tithi-fixed annual observance (cannot be freely shifted)
- लोकाचारसंमत — supported by established tradition
- रक्षोघ्न / दोष-नाशक — protective, doṣa-destroying fire rite
Therefore, eclipse restrictions that mainly suspend muhūrta-based maṅgala-karmas do not automatically cancel Holikā. Dharma Sindhu instead integrates Holikā with eclipse-dharma (snāna, śuddhi, japa, etc.).
4) Practical Dharma-Nirṇaya (simple decision summary)
Decision: On Phālguṇa Pūrṇimā with a lunar eclipse, Holikā Dahana is performed on the same Pūrṇimā. Prefer Pradoṣa if available; otherwise perform it in Holikā-madhyaka while Pūrṇimā still prevails, following eclipse śuddhi practices.
Note: Regional traditions may vary in the exact handling (snāna timing, local custom, community practice). Final implementation should follow one’s accepted regional Panchāṅga and Ācārya guidance.
