Festival · Phalguna Purnima
Dhulivandan 2026
The day after Holi is Dhulivandan: the day the ash of the Holi fire goes on. And in Maharashtra it's a holiday!
Date, tithi and timing
Times are for Thane. The app gives times for your city.
Date by city
The date is the same in every city listed.
Next year, 2027
Quick facts
- Also known asDhulvad, Dhulandi (north India), Dhuleti (Gujarat), Rangwali Holi
- WhereMaharashtra; Dhulandi in the north, Dhuleti in Gujarat
- Puja forThe Holi fire, through its ash
- In one lineThe ash of the Holi fire, held pure and protective, and the start of five days of spring festival.
Dhulivandan, in a little more detail
- 01
About the festival
Dhuli means dust, and vandan means a bow. The name says it all: today you honour the ash and the earth of the Holi fire.
Last night the bad went up in the fire. What's left, the ash, is held pure: the Puranas call it a vibhuti to put on the body, one that cleans and protects.
The lesson is simple: from the ash, a fresh start. Winter is over, spring is in, and from today it's five days of spring festival until Rangapanchami.
- 02
The story of Dhundha
In King Raghu's time a demoness named Dhundha troubled the children. A boon from Shiva meant no ordinary remedy could touch her.
The king asked the sage Vasishtha for help. There's one thing she can't stand, he said: children's racket. Gather wood, leaves and cow-dung cakes, light a fire, and let the children laugh, sing and shout around it.
The children circled the fire with wooden swords, and Dhundha was kept away. The ash of that fire was honoured and put on the body. The noise around the Holi fire and the ash on Dhulivandan both echo this story.
- 03
In Maharashtra and beyond
Today the Holi ash goes on, or people roll in wet earth. There's a reason it's called Dhulvad, the dust day!
It's a public holiday in Maharashtra. In the cities many play with colour today too, but by the old custom the big day of colour is Rangapanchami.
In the Konkan there's no single Dhulivandan: each village may keep its own on a different day, usually the fifteenth day after Holi.
In north India this is Dhulandi, Rangwali Holi: the main day of colour. In Gujarat, Dhuleti means coloured water everywhere, and in some families a woman rolls up her sari like a rope and swats her brother-in-law in mock rage!
How to play
In short: Oil first, then natural colours; ask before you colour anyone, and spare the eyes and the animals.
- 1Before you step out, rub coconut oil into your skin and hair.Oil stops the colour sticking, so it washes off easily later. A thin layer around the eyes, never in them.
- 2Wear old, full-sleeved clothes, tie your hair back and put on sunglasses.If you wear contact lenses, take them out before you play.
- 3In many homes a pinch of Holi ash goes on the forehead first.It's in the name: Dhulivandan, a bow to the ash of the Holi fire.
- 4Use only dry, natural colours: turmeric, flower colours, herbal gulal.Skip silver, gold and fluorescent colours: they carry heavy metals.
- 5Ask before you colour someone, and leave alone anyone who says no.Not everyone wants colour: elders, the unwell, small babies.
- 6Don't throw colour at faces or into eyes.If colour gets in an eye, don't rub it; rinse gently with clean, cold water.
- 7Don't throw colour or water at animals.Dogs and cats fall ill from licking colour or drinking coloured water.
- 8When you're done, wash the colour off gently with a mild soap, without scrubbing.Keep any cut covered, and stay away from dirty water.
What you needTick as you go
0 of 7 ready
Frequently asked questions
How do I make natural colours at home?
Turmeric in besan for yellow, powdered dried flowers or beetroot juice for red, mehendi for green. Palash flowers boiled in water give an orange dye.
What if colour gets in my eyes?
Don't rub. Rinse gently with clean, cold water. If redness, swelling, blurred vision or pain stays, see an eye doctor at once.
What if my skin itches or breaks out?
Wash the colour off with a mild soap, don't scrub, and put oil or moisturiser back on. If it gets worse, or if breathing gets hard, see a doctor.
Can I play if I have asthma?
Colour dust breathed in can set off asthma. A tilak of wet natural colour is enough; stay out of flying powder, and keep your inhaler close.
Set a reminder in the app
The app sends a notice the day before and on the day, even offline.