Back to United States Calendar
Spiritual Significance
Holi celebrates the triumph of devotee Prahlad over the demoness Holika, symbolizing the victory of devotion and goodness over arrogance and evil. The festival also marks the arrival of spring, the season of joy and renewal. It commemorates the divine love between Radha and Krishna, making it one of the most joyous and inclusive festivals in the Hindu calendar.
How to Celebrate in United States
Observing Holi in United States is highly auspicious. Because local timezone sunrise and moonrise times differ, follow these practices:
- Align Fasting with Local Sunrise: Start your vrat precisely at sunrise in New York (approx 18:15 local time), rather than following Indian Standard Time.
- Perform Puja during local Auspicious Hours: Make sure to perform the main rituals during local EST evening/night windows as shown above.
- Holika Dahan (bonfire) on the eve of Holi
- Playing with colored powders (gulal) and water
- Singing traditional Holi songs (Faag)
- Sharing sweets like gujiya and thandai
- Visiting friends and family with color
Auspicious Items to Prepare
đ¸ Gulal (colored powder)đ¸ Gujiyađ¸ Thandaiđ¸ Marigold flowersđ¸ Coconut