Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is celebrated by burning Holika, an asuri (demoness). For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil. According to the tradition, people contribute a piece of wood or two for the Holika bonfire, and this represents Holika being consumed by the fire in which she tried to kill her nephew Prahlad, a devotee of God Vishnu and thus Holi gets its name. A similar holiday is Holi where people get to gather and often repair broken relationships. Significance. The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India, Nepal and parts of  South India in keeping with this tradition. The youth playfully steal all sorts of things and put them in Holika pyre. In some parts of North India the day is actually called Holika Dehan. while in other parts like Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar) as well as Terai regions of Nepal it is called Sammat Jaarna. There are other activities associated with the story of Prahlad, but the burning of Holika is the one that we can most directly associate with Holi. Fire burnt on the eve of Holi (Holika Dahan) symbolizes the burning of Holika. The story  as a whole is testament to the power of devotion (bhakta) over the evil represented by King Banjan, as Prahlad never lost his faith. The Ritual. Holika pyre for bonfire. Days before the festival people start gathering wood and combustible materials for the bonfire in parks, community centers, near temples and other open spaces. On top of the pyre is an effigy to signify Holika who tricked Prahalad into the fire. Inside homes, people stock up on color pigments, food, party drinks and festive seasonal foods such as "gujiya", "mathri", "malpuas" and other regional delicacies. Holika dahan. On the eve  of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire. People also perform parikrama of fire. The next day people play Holi, the popular festival of colors. Reason for Holika dahan. The burning of Holika is the most common historical explanation for the celebration of Holi. In different parts of India varying reasons are given for Holika's death. Among those are: