A night before Holi, a festival of colour among Hindus, on Monday, Holika Dahan is celebrated. 

The celebration takes place in a number of colonies and Muhallas in Ranchi and in different parts of the country including Jharkhand.

This time, both Holika Dahan and Holi have to be celebrated by people inside home amid restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC imposed by the state administration in the wake of spurt in the cases of Coronavirus in Ranchi city.

 As per historical records, Holika Dahan (also known as Kamudi pyre )is celebrated by burning Holika, an asura. 

For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi is celebrated to mark success over the killing of Holika only to save Prahlad, a devotee of God Vishnu.

At ground zero, Holika Dahan effectively means burning of tonnes of dry wood. For days, wood pieces are collected and set afire by people on open ground.

Even in the olden days, people used to contribute a piece of wood or two for the Holika bonfire. This is part of a belief. Holika Dahan is celebrated in towns, cities and villages where people get to gather and burn the wood to mark the end of a demon. The next day Holi is celebrated.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state administration in Jharkhand has appealed to people to stay at home and celebrate Holi from inside the home. 

Already movement of the gathering was banned and Section 144 CrPC invoked to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease.