Holashtak 2012
This year Holashtak is from 1st March to 8th March.
Holashtak begins from the Ashtami or the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Phalgun month. This notifies the arrival of Holi.
What is Holashtak?
Holashtak is a eight days period which is considered as inauspicious and no auspicious ceremony like marriage, housewarming ceremony, mundan sanskar or naamkaran sanskar are suggested during this period.
Performance of rituals!
On the first day of Holashtak, people choosing the place for Holika Dahan and on this day, the chosen place is cleaned with Holy Ganges water. From this day, the collection of dried wood starts for Holika Dahan. Also, dried cow dung cakes, dried wooden sticks and grass is placed.
The Significace of Holashtak!
Holashtak period is from Phagun Shuka's Ashthami to Holika Dahan, which is the Full Moon Day. In these days, the season start showing changes and winters is about to leave with the arrival of spring. The spring season coming with new of fresh fragrances of flowers.
It is believed that, Holashtak started when Lord Shiva got angry on Kaam Dev and killed him.
|