Published on March 12, 2025 , farmntrade

Holika Dahan, a ritual of great significance in Hinduism, symbolizes victory of good over evil and is part of the festival of Holi. Mythologically, the festival celebrates the divine intervention of burning Holika, having demoness properties. Traditionally, bonfires are lit by the whole community the night before Holi, as it is believed that such fires can cleanse negativities and herald prosperity.

In contrast to how it used to be done, in the present day, this practice has become environmentally unfriendly. Instead of symbolic fire pits of moderation, giant bonfires are made wherein plastic and waste are burnt along with excessive wood. This will surely intensify air pollution, deforestation, and climate change. This blog presents the environmental cost of Holika Dahan and traditional vs. modern practices with a way out to reconcile the cultural beliefs with sustainability.

Holika Dahan cost on our Climate/Environment: Traditional vs. Reality

Originally, Holika Dahan was a very simple and symbolic ritual. The fire was supposed to be small and well controlled, using only dry twigs, cowdung cakes, and minimal wood-these are materials which are naturally available and biodegradable. The idea was not to create pollution, but to have a sacred ritual which did not harm the environment. The event was community-based, with every locality or village having just one bonfire, ensuring minimum damage to nature.

But what it has become over time is entirely hazardous and harmful as there are considerations such as whoever has the biggest bonfire will get bigger and greater wishes. In time, it had become hazardous with many beliefs wherein bigger the bonfire the more wishes become powerful, hence excessive, blind and dangerous nature had been thrown open on the bonfire.

Today’s Holika Dahan: The Reality

Modern Holika Dahan involves Deforestation whereby trees are cut specifically for Holika Dahan, thereby reducing a big percentage of green cover, contributing to climate change in a big way.

• Air Pollution, wherein burning of plastic, synthetic waste, and chemically treated wood gives out toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, and benzene, which severely impact air quality.
• Health Hazards, whereby with the smoke comes PM2.5 and PM10 particles, which can cause respiratory issues, allergies, and lung diseases.
• Accidental Fires, big bonfires are most of the time left unmonitored and cause accidental fires within homes and forests.
• Contributions to Climate Change, the greenhouse gases released, including carbon dioxide, CO₂, and methane, CH₄, contribute to the greenhouse effect and rising temperatures, causing erratic weather patterns.

Impact of Holika Dahan on Pollution and Climate: Statistics

One other way Holika Dahan celebrations affect air quality, which scientific studies support is by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, all saidAt least 30-40% of PM2.5 increases in major Indian cities through bonfires and fireworks. Holika Dahan night in Delhi (2022) raised pollution on many accounts by 20%. PM10 peaked over 300 µg/m³, beyond the 45 µg/m³ safety limit set by the WHO.

Higher AQI levels in Mumbai and Pune on Holika Dahan smoke showed evidence of worsening between 15-25%. Data on Cutting of saplings indicated countless tree-felling performed every year to fuel Holika Dahan fires, spurring the chain reaction of Destruction of forest cover and Destruction of habitat. And with air pollution having already reached a hazardous level in cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, pollution coming from additional hassles, especially on and during Holika Dahan, exacerbates health conditions leading to an increase in diseases of the respiratory system, increased cases of asthma attacks, irritation of the eyes, etc.

How Can We Balance Tradition and Environmental Responsibility?

Holika Dahan is a festival of great significance; however, it need not be a costly affair for the environment. There are various sustainable methods of celebrating without undermining the feel of the real tradition:

• Use Smaller, Community-Based Bonfires Instead of Multiple Bonfires for Bonfires, thus minimizing wood consumption and pollution.
• Instead of plastic, rubber, and chemically treated wood, dried coconut shells, herbal offerings, and organic waste should be burned.
• Some communities nowadays use earthen lamps (diyas) instead of bonfires as a symbol to represent the fight of good with evil without harming nature. 
• After Holi trees we can pledg to plant in tree in compensation of the woods burned.
• Education should be provided by Schools, NGOs, and other groups with regard to pollution levels and sustainable methods of celebration.
• Support of the Local municipalities to regulate the size and materials used in bonfires and to promote eco-friendly celebrations.

Rethinking Our Festivals for a Greener Future

Holika Dahan is more than a ceremony; it is a cultural inheritance. But due to climate change and rising pollution levels, it might be time to rethink how we celebrate. 

Holi is about spreading joy, positivity, and unity, but it should not come at a cost to nature. By adopting eco-friendly alternatives, we would respect our traditions while switching to the future, a step toward the preservation of Mother Nature for our generation. 

A shift does not mean a disbanding of customs; it means an evolution of them that caters to the exigencies of the time.  Sustainable choices to save our universe is the true victory of the good over evil today without a compromise to the spirit of our festival.

Are we all set to take this step?

This Holi, team farmntrade requests everybody to take a pledge to celebrate our festivals responsibly, sustainably, and mindfully, respecting our traditions and rich history – because the planet deserves our love just as much as our traditions do.