Holi 2026: Unique Celebration with Lunar Eclipse and Bhadra Timing

The Holi festival in 2026 will be marked by a rare combination of Bhadra and a total lunar eclipse, creating a unique atmosphere for celebrations. Holika Dahan is scheduled for March 2nd, followed by Dhulandi on March 3rd. Astrologer Dr. Anish Vyas provides insights into the auspicious timings and significance of these events. With the lunar eclipse occurring during Holi, people are encouraged to plan their festivities accordingly. This article explores the timings for Holika Dahan and the implications of the lunar eclipse on the celebrations, making this year's Holi particularly special.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 12:15 IST

Holi Festival 2026: A Rare Celestial Event

This year's Holi festival coincides with an unusual occurrence of Bhadra and a total lunar eclipse, leading to some uncertainty among the public. Holika Dahan is set for March 2nd, while the total lunar eclipse will take place on Dhulandi, March 3rd. The Sutak period, which prohibits auspicious activities and temple visits, will commence nine hours prior to the eclipse. Astrologer Dr. Anish Vyas from the Pal Balaji Astrology Institute in Jaipur and Jodhpur confirms that Holi festivities will span March 2nd and 3rd.

On March 2nd, Holika Dahan will occur in two segments: the first lasting 12 minutes in the evening, followed by 1 hour and 10 minutes at midnight. The next day, March 3rd, will see the celebration of Dhulandi, where people will engage in color play. The presence of a lunar eclipse during Holi adds a unique twist to this year's celebrations, prompting individuals to plan their festivities around the eclipse and its auspicious timings.
Bhadra will commence today at 5:56 PM.

Dr. Anish Vyas has indicated that the Bhadra period will start on March 2nd at 5:56 PM and conclude at 5:28 AM on March 3rd. This year, Bhadra is observed in the Earth and Leo zodiac signs, making Holika Puja and Dahan during the Pradosh period particularly significant according to scriptures. The Holika Puja on the full moon day of the Krishna Paksha in Phalgun month is especially meaningful. Additionally, charitable acts can be performed during the Bhadra period. The astrologer emphasizes that this Holi will be celebrated under the influence of a lunar eclipse.

The lunar eclipse is scheduled to begin on March 3rd at 3:20 PM and will end at 6:48 PM. The moon will rise in Jaipur at 6:29 PM, with the eclipse concluding shortly after. The Sutak period for the eclipse will start at 6:20 AM on Tuesday. This eclipse will occur in the Purva Phalguni nakshatra and the Leo zodiac sign, and it will be visible across India. Due to the lunar eclipse, it is deemed auspicious to conduct Holika Dahan a day earlier on March 2nd, leading to the celebration of colors on March 3rd.

Holika Dahan Timing
According to Dr. Anish Vyas, performing Holika Dahan on the full moon day of Phalguna Shukla Paksha during the Pradosh period, while avoiding Bhadra, is considered ideal. The full moon will be observed from 5:56 PM on March 2nd until 5:07 PM on March 3rd, 2026. Since the full moon coincides with the Pradosh period, Holika Dahan will take place on Monday, March 2nd. On this day, Bhadra will be in the Bhumlok (southwest corner, considered inauspicious) from 5:56 PM to 5:28 AM, which is not favorable.

Pradosh Kaal: The Optimal Time for Holika Dahan
As per Dharmasindhu, the best time for Holika Dahan is during Pradosh Kaal, specifically between 6:24 PM and 6:36 PM on March 2, 2026. Bhadra Puchch will last from 1:23 AM to 2:34 AM, during which Holika Dahan can be performed according to tradition, but not after Bhadra concludes. If Bhadra extends beyond Nishith Kaal (excluding Bhadra Mukha), Holika Dahan should be conducted during Bhadra Kaal (Bhadra Puchch or Pradosh). On March 2, 2026, both Bhadra and Bhadra Puchch will persist beyond Nishith Kaal, making Pradosh Kaal the prime time for Holika Dahan.

Limited Time for Holika Dahan
Dr. Anish Vyas elaborated that the full moon date will start at 5:56 PM on March 2nd and continue until 5:07 PM the following day, March 3rd, when there will be no sunset. Consequently, Pradosh Kaal will not apply. Therefore, Holika Dahan is best performed between 6:24 PM and 6:36 PM on March 2nd, while Dhulandi will be celebrated on March 3rd. It is also important to note that the lunar eclipse will begin at 3:20 PM on March 3rd and conclude at 6:48 PM.

Lunar Eclipse's Impact on Dhulandi
Astrologer Dr. Anish Vyas clarified that scriptures dictate that Holika Dahan should be performed on the Falgun Shukla Pradosh Vyapini Purnima, free from Bhadra. This year, the full moon will commence on March 2nd at 5:56 PM, coinciding with Falgun Shukla Chaturdashi, and will last until 5:08 PM on March 3rd. Therefore, since the full moon occurs during Pradosh Kaal on March 2nd, Holika will be celebrated on that day. Bhadra will persist from 5:56 PM on March 2nd until 5:32 AM on the following day. The lunar eclipse visible on March 3rd will not affect Dhulandi.