An unusual video of Holi celebration has surfaced on social media where a a man portraying ‘Bhakta Prahlad’ walks into the holika fire. This video on internet has shocked on internet and has gone viral on social media. This is a tradition in Phalen village which is held annually on Holika Dahan, where a man re-enacts the mythological episodde of Prahlad's nwavering devotion.
Local belief holds that Phalen's tradition is one of the oldest of its kind, attracting large crowds annually. This year, Sanju Panda performed the role, undergoing intense spiritual preparations. According to one observer, the ritual begins on Basant Panchami and continues until Holika Dahan, requiring detachment from home and family and abstaining from food from Basant Panchami onward.
Villagers in Phalen claim the individual portraying Prahlad undergoes a rigorous 45-day period of fasting, spiritual discipline, and isolation before walking through the Holika bonfire. This act symbolizes the triumph of faith over evil, mirroring the legend of Prahlada's survival and Holika's demise.
While Holi is celebrated with diverse customs across India, the Phalen tradition is notable for its spiritual intensity, and videos of the event's dramatic moment have gained viral attention, prompting disbelief among viewers.