Historic Holika Dahan Lights Up Indore with Tradition & Unity
Indore marked a vibrant and historic celebration on the evening of March 13, 2025, with the official Holika Dahan ceremony held at the iconic Rajwada. The city, despite the sweltering heat of 103°F (39°C) during the day, was aglow with the warmth of tradition and community spirit. Shivaji Rao Holkar, a descendant of the Holkar dynasty (also known as Richard Maharaj), participated in the event along with around 40 distinguished guests, including several international visitors.
This year’s Holika Dahan ceremony took on special significance, as it was the first time Shivaji Rao Holkar visited the deity at Rajwada and offered flowers to the statue of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. This ceremonial act was followed by the formal start of the Holika Dahan pooja at exactly 7 PM, in accordance with auspicious timing. As the bonfire blazed, the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm, and devotees gathered at Malhari Martand Temple for prayers and celebrations, including the traditional playing with colors. A silver pichkari, used to sprinkle colors on the statue of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, added to the vibrancy of the occasion.
Pandit Leeladhar Warkar, the priest at Malhari Martand Temple, revealed that the Holika Dahan was performed with 1,100 logs, maintaining a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The ceremonial use of these logs symbolized the triumph of good over evil, a central theme of Holika Dahan.
Another unique element this year was the use of silver utensils that once belonged to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, including a thali, bowl, spoon, water container, and a specially engraved silver pichkari. These antique items, over 300 years old, were meticulously cleaned and prepared for the evening’s pooja.
The event was attended by both locals and visitors from afar, all eager to witness this grand display of culture and tradition. After the main event, similar celebrations were held at various locations across Indore. Women performed traditional rituals, circumambulating the bonfire and praying for the prosperity of their families, ensuring that the cultural spirit of Holika Dahan continued to flourish in the city.
Coming up: sweets & colourful celebrations
Dr. Vishal Bhattacharya, in charge of the Bengali club, explained, “On Holi, there is a tradition of Guru Pujan in homes along with worshiping at Holika Dahan.” Singing and dancing to instruments like the ektara, dubri, and veena will be a central part of the celebrations, with men spraying coloured water and abir on participants on Friday, as shared by Abhishek Das.
In Sindhi families, sweet bread shaped like thin threads is made, and after the Holika bonfire cools down, prasad is distributed by spraying water and gulal over it. Chandni Fundwani, the female representative of the Sindhi Panchayat, said, “On the festival of Holi, this dessert is exchanged in the society as a good omen and especially gifted to females.”
Devendra Singh Gandhi from the Sikh community mentioned, “There is a special worship of weapons at Shri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) at Holle Mahalla,” and shared that Punjabi dishes like lassi, maize bread, and chole bhature are commonly prepared.
Indore marked a vibrant and historic celebration on the evening of March 13, 2025, with the official Holika Dahan ceremony held at the iconic Rajwada. The city, despite the sweltering heat of 103°F (39°C) during the day, was aglow with the warmth of tradition and community spirit. Shivaji Rao Holkar, a descendant of the Holkar dynasty (also known as Richard Maharaj), participated in the event along with around 40 distinguished guests, including several international visitors.
This year’s Holika Dahan ceremony took on special significance, as it was the first time Shivaji Rao Holkar visited the deity at Rajwada and offered flowers to the statue of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. This ceremonial act was followed by the formal start of the Holika Dahan pooja at exactly 7 PM, in accordance with auspicious timing. As the bonfire blazed, the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm, and devotees gathered at Malhari Martand Temple for prayers and celebrations, including the traditional playing with colors. A silver pichkari, used to sprinkle colors on the statue of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, added to the vibrancy of the occasion.
Pandit Leeladhar Warkar, the priest at Malhari Martand Temple, revealed that the Holika Dahan was performed with 1,100 logs, maintaining a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The ceremonial use of these logs symbolized the triumph of good over evil, a central theme of Holika Dahan.
Another unique element this year was the use of silver utensils that once belonged to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, including a thali, bowl, spoon, water container, and a specially engraved silver pichkari. These antique items, over 300 years old, were meticulously cleaned and prepared for the evening’s pooja.
The event was attended by both locals and visitors from afar, all eager to witness this grand display of culture and tradition. After the main event, similar celebrations were held at various locations across Indore. Women performed traditional rituals, circumambulating the bonfire and praying for the prosperity of their families, ensuring that the cultural spirit of Holika Dahan continued to flourish in the city.
Coming up: sweets & colourful celebrations
Dr. Vishal Bhattacharya, in charge of the Bengali club, explained, “On Holi, there is a tradition of Guru Pujan in homes along with worshiping at Holika Dahan.” Singing and dancing to instruments like the ektara, dubri, and veena will be a central part of the celebrations, with men spraying coloured water and abir on participants on Friday, as shared by Abhishek Das.
In Sindhi families, sweet bread shaped like thin threads is made, and after the Holika bonfire cools down, prasad is distributed by spraying water and gulal over it. Chandni Fundwani, the female representative of the Sindhi Panchayat, said, “On the festival of Holi, this dessert is exchanged in the society as a good omen and especially gifted to females.”
Devendra Singh Gandhi from the Sikh community mentioned, “There is a special worship of weapons at Shri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) at Holle Mahalla,” and shared that Punjabi dishes like lassi, maize bread, and chole bhature are commonly prepared.