Holashtak 2026: Holashtak starts from today, know the tradition of planting the Holi stick and the story related to Lord Shiva.

Holashtak 2026:Holashtak is considered to start from Ashtami of Shukla Paksha of Phalgun month. Holi celebrations formally begin from this day and Holi sticks are buried as per tradition at many places. According to religious beliefs, these eight days are considered especially sensitive, hence auspicious and auspicious works are avoided during this period.

Holashtak is not only the prelude to the festival of Holi, but it also commemorates the unwavering devotion of devotee Prahlad, the end of atrocities and important mythological events associated with Lord Shiva. The stories related to these eight days give deep messages of religion, faith and penance.

Beginning of atrocities on Prahlad

Demon king Hiranyakashyap was angry with his son Prahlad’s unwavering devotion towards Lord Vishnu. When Prahlad did not waver from his devotion even after repeated explanations, Hiranyakashyap decided to punish him severely.

Prahlad was the first to be thrown down from a high mountain, but he did not suffer any harm. After this, sometimes an attempt was made to crush him under the feet of elephants, and sometimes he was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. Despite this, Prahlad was not hurt.

This torture continued for eight consecutive days. Finally, on the ninth day, Hiranyakashyap made Prahlad enter the fire by making him sit in the lap of his sister Holika. Holika was blessed that fire could not burn her, but the result was the opposite – Holika was burnt to ashes and Prahlad remained safe.

Holashtak 2026: when from when

It is believed that Holashtak is celebrated in the memory of the eight days for which Prahlad was tortured. In the year 2026, Holashtak will start from 24th February and last till 3rd March.

During these days, doing any kind of auspicious or auspicious work is considered prohibited. According to religious belief, Moon is on Ashtami, Sun on Navami, Saturn on Dashami, Venus on Ekadashi, Jupiter on Dwadashi, Mercury on Trayodashi, Mars on Chaturdashi and Rahu is in its fiercest form on Purnima.

Holi stick tradition

On the first day of Holashtak, the Holi stick is buried, which is considered a symbol of Holika and Prahlad. Before Holika Dahan, a stick in the name of Prahlad is taken out, which indicates the victory of truth and devotion.

Story of Lord Shiva and Kamadeva

Another mythological story related to Holashtak is related to Lord Shiva. It is said that on the day of Phalgun Shukla Ashtami, Kamadeva shot a flower arrow at Shiva with the aim of breaking his trance. Shiva’s trance was broken due to the impact of that arrow.

Angered by this, Shiva destroyed Kamadeva with his third eye. When Kamadeva’s wife Rati received this news, she worshiped Shiva to revive her husband.

After eight days of penance and waiting, Shiva gave a boon to Rati that Kamadeva would be born as Pradyumna, son of Krishna in Dwapar Yuga.

Meanwhile, Shiva’s gan Chitrakarma made an effigy of Kamadeva’s ashes, in which Shiva established his life. This demon, born from the fire of Shiva’s anger, was named Bhandasura. Later, Goddess Tripurasundari freed the universe from its atrocities by killing Bhandasura with a stunning arrow named ‘Maha Kameshwar’.