The preparation of the effigy and the installation of decorations in Koliwadas bring together people from diverse backgrounds and communities, fostering a spirit of harmony and togetherness within the neighbourhood.
Due to restrictions on cutting trees, the tree trunk used for Holika dahan is grown in the courtyard of the home. After the festival, the branches of the unburnt tree are replanted as saplings, a process that takes nearly five years for them to mature into full trees.
Holika is associated with fertility, marriage, and birth; hence, she is treated like a new bride. Accordingly, all the rituals that are performed for the bride during a Koli wedding are also performed for Holika.
The ground where the tree trunk is installed is purified using cow dung and holy water. The tree trunk is erected by placing it in a hole dug in the ground and secured into position using ropes.
The trunk is smeared with haldi (turmeric); similar to how a prospective bride is smeared with turmeric during the haldi chadavane (haldi ceremony) before a Koli wedding.