The article delves into the significance of Holika Dahan, an important ritual celebrated before the Holi festival in India, which involves burning a bonfire on the night of Falgun Purnima. It's noted that this year, Holika Dahan will occur on March 3rd. The piece highlights various cultural practices surrounding the festival, particularly focusing on why newly wed brides typically do not witness this event.

According to Hindu tradition, newly married brides often return to their maternal home before Holika Dahan. The article recounts a mythological story that explains this practice, stating that Holika was supposed to marry Iljoji, but due to her brother Hiranyakashyap's influence, she sacrificed herself along with his son Prahlad in a fire, leading to tragic consequences. It is believed that Iljoji's mother could not cope with the tragedy upon witnessing her daughter-in-law's pyre and died from grief. This underlying narrative lays the foundation for the belief that newly wed brides should not participate in Holika Dahan.

The article further explores the implications of this belief on the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law in Hindu culture, often reinforcing traditional gender roles where the bride continues to have strong ties with her maternal side, especially in contexts of festivals and family traditions. The cultural connotations of Holika Dahan and its surrounding beliefs reflect the deep-rooted customs that continue to influence contemporary Indian society.