Worship of the banyan Tree and Shiva linga (aniconic representation of Shiva) by devotees in the month of Kartik (October-November) in the Chandrabhaga temple complex.
Inscriptions are found from the old group of temples at Chandrabhaga on the pillar of the Sitaleshwar Temple (right) and from the Navadurga or Kalika Devi Temple (left).
As the rising flames engulf the effigy, prayers are made to Haul Mata, seeking forgiveness for past misgivings and invoking blessings for new beginnings. It is believed that the smoke rising from the burning effigy removes negative forces from the neighbourhood.
The tree trunk is seen as a manifestation of Holika, who possessed a boon making her immune to fire. Holika’s brother, Hiranyakashipu, had a son named Prahlad, who had unwavering bhakti (devotion) towards Lord Vishnu. In an attempt to kill Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu instructed Holika to sit on a burning pyre with Prahlad on her lap. However, due to Prahlad’s devotion to Lord Vishnu, he was saved from the flames while Holika was burned to ashes. This event symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is commemorated as Holika dahan.