Holashtak 2024: Understanding Inauspicious Days- Do’s and Don’t
Holi, the festival of colors, is around the corner, and people must have started preparing to celebrate it with traditional fanfare. Since the eight days before Holi is Holashtak, all auspicious activities are prohibited during this period. Let us know what Holashtak is and its mythological and scientific reasons. Holashtak 2024 is eight days before the day of Holi, which means it has already started, i.e., 17 March.
You can get deeper insights into what to do or not to do during this eight-day period by personally consulting the experienced Astrologers at DivineTalk Astrology App.
Why is Auspicious Work Banned During Holashtak?
During this time, good deeds face obstacles. King Hiranyakashyap planned to kill his son Prahalad, who worshipped Lord Vishnu, on a chosen full moon day. Eight days before this, he tortured Prahlad severely, but the boy remained devoted to Vishnu. Desperate, Hiranyakashyap sought help from his sister, Holika, who had a cloak protecting her from fire. He ordered her to sit in the flames with Prahlad, intending for his demise. However, Prahlad prayed to Vishnu for protection. The legend says Holika’s cloak shielded Prahlad, saving him while she perished. These events spanned eight days before Holi, known as Holashtak, and were considered inauspicious.
Another tale tells of Kamadeva disturbing Lord Shiva’s meditation, leading Shiva to burn Kamadeva with his third eye on Ashtami Tithi of Phalgun. Kamadeva’s wife, Rati, pleaded with Shiva to save her husband. Shiva granted her request and prescribed a solution, leading to public celebration and the birth of Holi.
Beyond religious beliefs, there are scientific reasons behind Holashtak’s inauspiciousness. Negative energy is believed to enter nature from the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha, leading to the prohibition of starting new ventures or entering new homes during this period.
Holashtak 2024: Do’s and Don’ts
- Do not start any new business ventures or sell any property related to your business.
- Avoid celebrations and rituals about weddings, housewarming, name ceremonies, etc.
- Avoid purchasing new clothes, vehicles, and jewellery which are inauspicious.
- One must engage in spiritual and religious activities.
- Performing Hawan and worshipping Lord Vishnu during Holashtak time is highly commendable.
- Do not cut your hair and nails.
- You can perform charitable activities by donating your clothes to needy people.
- Avoid onion, garlic, eggs and meat and eat Tamasik Food.
- Keep your home and offices clean to keep negative energy away from you. You must also conduct the Bhagavad Gita Path.
- Chanting mantras could be beneficial during this period. You can seek blessings from Lord Vishnu by chanting the mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.”!!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the meaning of Holashtak?
A: The eight-day period before Holi. The term Holashtak is derived from the combination of the words ‘Holi’ and ‘Ashtak,’ which means the eight days before Holi. Because of mythological beliefs, these days are inauspicious.
Q: When is Holashtak 2024?
A: The upcoming Holashtak, starting on 17 March 2024, is a Hindu festival period of inauspiciousness. It includes avoiding new ventures, celebrations, and various religious customs and practices.
Q: When does Holashtak start and end?
A: Holashtak started on 17 March and will conclude on 24 March. Holashtak is an auspicious period of days before Holi, celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindu devotees and accompanied by certain dos and don’ts.
Q: Why are auspicious works prohibited during Holashtak?
A: Holashtak time is the Sutak period. During this time, the planet remains furious, so auspicious works are not done.
