Holashtak
Holashtak is the eight days before Holika Dahan, from Phalguna Shukla Ashtami to Phalguna Purnima. In much of North India, weddings, griha pravesh and other auspicious ceremonies are avoided during it.
Also known as: Holashtaka, Holastak, Holi ashtak
Holashtak, ‘the eight of Holi’, begins on the Ashtami (8th tithi) of Phalguna’s bright half and ends with Holika Dahan on Phalguna Purnima, the evening before the festival of colours. The count follows tithis, so on the calendar the period can be a day shorter or longer, and some regional almanacs begin it a day earlier.
Tradition links these days with Prahlad’s ordeal at the hands of Hiranyakashipu, which ended when Holika burned and Prahlad was saved. Astrological lore adds that a different planet is in a fierce state on each of the eight days. Many North Indian families therefore defer weddings, engagements, griha pravesh, mundan and major purchases until after Holi.
Our Muhurat finder leaves Holashtak out for weddings, griha pravesh and mundan. It is not widely observed in South India, and it is not a time of bad luck. Prayer, charity and preparations for Holi carry on as usual; only new ceremonies wait until the festival has passed.