Holi Dilemma: Why Bihar is Celebrating the Festival on Two Different Days
Patna: While the official holiday for Holi falls today, a significant number of people in Patna and across Bihar will celebrate the festival of colours on Saturday, following Hindu religious scriptures.
Renowned Patna-based astrologer Sameer Upadhyay has provided clarity on the matter, stating that “Holi with colours, as per scriptures, should be celebrated on Vikram Samvat 2081, Chaitra month, Krishna Paksha, Pratipada Tithi (Udaya), which falls on March 15, 2025, Saturday.” He shared this interpretation in a post on Facebook.
Holika Dahan, the ritual that symbolises the burning away of negativity and the ushering in of hope and renewal, was observed on Thursday night. Bonfires were lit across Bihar, with people gathering around and offering sacred items such as green gram, wheat, and sesame seeds into the flames. Traditionally, the following morning marks the celebration of Holi with colours. However, differences in the interpretation of Hindu scriptures have led to the festival being observed on two separate days this year.
The confusion largely stems from the timings of the Phalgun Purnima Tithi, which are as follows:
- Purnima Tithi Begins – 10:35 AM on March 13, 2025
- Purnima Tithi Ends – 12:23 PM on March 14, 2025
With Holika Dahan held last night, some people are playing with colours today, while others will wait until Saturday. The weekend factor also plays a role, as many office-goers are on leave, and state government offices and banks remain closed, allowing more people to celebrate the festival at their convenience.
