Holika
Holika is a demoness in Hindu mythology associated with the festival of Holi. In many versions of the legend she is described as the sister of the evil king Hiranyakashipu and therefore an aunt to Prahlad, the devout follower of Vishnu. The figure of Holika appears in various Puranic and folk retellings, and details can differ between sources.
The core story centers on the tyrannical Hiranyakashipu, who seeks to suppress his son Prahlad’s devotion to
Cultural significance and festival observance are tied to the tale. Holika Dahan, the ceremonial bonfire held
Notes on variant tellings emphasize differences in kinship, details of the boon, and the exact sequence of