When Holika Dahan brings grief: Bishnoi community’s different Holi in Tricity

Chandigarh: As colours flew and water guns came out across the Tricity on Holi, atmosphere inside Shri Guru Jambheshwar Bishnoi Mandir in Sector 15, Panchkula, was markedly different. Instead of ‘gulal' and music, the courtyard filled with devotees seated quietly, listening to the story of Prahlad, the child devotee whose survival lies at the heart of how the Bishnoi community marks the festival.Around 200–250 devotees from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and nearby areas gathered at the temple, the only Bishnoi shrine in the Tricity, for the annual observance that unfolds very differently from the familiar Holi celebrations seen elsewhere.
For Bishnois, the night of Holika Dahan is not a moment of festivity, but one of grief. In the community's religious understanding, the fire lit on that night was meant to burn Prahlad alive on the orders of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who opposed his son's devotion to Lord Vishnu. Because of this association, Bishnoi families traditionally observe restraint on Holika night. Many avoid festive sweets, prepare simple food like khichdi at home and treat the day with a sense of mourning rather than celebration.The festival for them begins only the following morning, when Prahlad's survival is remembered.At the Panchkula temple, the programme started shortly after sunrise with a narration of the ‘Prahlad Charitra'. Sitting in rows across the temple courtyard, the devotees listened to the story of Prahlad's unwavering devotion and the moment when Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha to kill Hiranyakashipu and protect the child devotee.Because of this centrality of Prahlad in their religious tradition, the Bishnoi community is often described as ‘Prahlad panthi', followers of Prahlad's path of devotion.Following the recitation, a ‘havan' was performed on the temple premises. The devotees gathered around the sacred fire to offer oblations before the preparation of ‘pahal', a ritual offering that holds special significance in the Bishnoi religious practice. After the ceremony, the ‘pahal' was distributed among those present, with many devotees carrying it home for family members.Outside the temple complex, Holi celebrations were in full swing in nearby neighbourhoods, with colours, music and water-filled streets. Inside, the mood remained calm and devotional. By late morning, after the ‘havan' concluded and ‘pahal' had been distributed, the devotees gradually dispersed from the temple premises.