Soon a fire was burning merrily. It was so hot and burned so fiercely that no one dared stand close to it. As the flames leapt ever higher Holika called Prahlad to her. ‘My boy,‘ she said to him.

However, his son Prahlad remained devoted to Lord Vishnu, much to the king's disdain. Hiranyakashipu's sister, Holika, was bestowed with the power to withstand fire. In an attempt to kill Prahlad ...

But as the fire was lit, a divine intervention occurred. While Holika was unharmed due to her boon, Prahlad emerged unscathed as Lord Vishnu protected him from the flames. This miraculous event ...

Her plan failed. Prahlad came through the fire unharmed and Holika was destroyed by the flames. To remember this story bonfires are lit during Holi. The bonfires purify the air of anything evil.