Holashtak 2026: 24 or 25 February? Know when Holashtak will start and which activities will be banned

Holashtak 2026: Everyone waits for the festival of colours, Holi. As soon as the month of Phalgun arrives, a festive atmosphere begins and people start preparing to celebrate with colours. But the eight days before Holi are considered very important from the religious point of view, which are called Holashtak.

In Sanatan tradition, Holashtak is seen as an inauspicious period. It is believed that auspicious and auspicious works done during this period do not give the expected results. In such a situation, it becomes important to know when Holashtak will start in the year 2026 and which activities should be avoided during this period.

When will Holashtak 2026 start?

Holashtak starts every year from Phalgun Shukla Ashtami Tithi. This festival starts just eight days before Holi. In the year 2026, Holika Dahan will be celebrated on 3 March and Holi of colors will be celebrated on 4 March. On this basis, this time Holashtak is starting from 24th February.

According to religious beliefs, these eight days are not considered favorable for auspicious works. Therefore, marriages, house warming or other auspicious events are not organized during this period.

Why are auspicious works considered prohibited?

According to religious legends, Holashtak is related to the incident involving devotee Prahlad and his father Hiranyakashyap. It is believed that Hiranyakashyap had tortured Prahlad for eight consecutive days to make him leave his devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Despite this, Prahlad remained firm towards his beloved Vishnu. Enraged Hiranyakashyap, along with his sister Holika, planned to kill Prahlad by making him sit in the fire, but by the grace of God, Holika herself got burnt in the fire and devotee Prahlad was saved safely. In memory of this incident, the days of Holashtak are considered a sensitive and inauspicious period.

Keep distance from these 7 activities during Holashtak

• During this period, engagement, marriage or any auspicious program should not be organized.
• Postponing the farewell of daughter-in-law and daughter is considered auspicious.
• Work like house warming, building construction and bhoomi pujan should be avoided.
• Rituals like tonsure, naming and ear piercing are not performed.
• Starting a new business or any new work should be avoided.
• Valuable items like gold, silver or property are not purchased.
• Special religious rituals like Havan, Yagya are also postponed.
• According to religious beliefs, restraint and meditation are given priority in these eight days.