However, because Holika was using her gift for an evil deed, her power did not work and she was burned to ashes. Prahalad, on the other hand, stayed true to his God, Vishnu, and sat praying in the lap of his demon aunt. The God protected him and he survived.
To celebrate the story, large bonfires are burned during Holi and in many parts of India; a dummy of Holika is burned.