Phalguna
फाल्गुन
February – MarchAlso spelled: Phalgun, Falgun
The closing month. Hosts Maha Shivaratri (Shiva's great night), Holika Dahan (the eve before Holi), and Holi (festival of colours, end of the Hindu year).
Nakshatra
Purva Phalguni & Uttara Phalguni
Where the full moon falls in this month
Presiding deity
Shiva + Krishna
Seasonal element
Spring arrival
Agricultural rhythm
Wheat harvest readying; mustard yellow blooms; spring arrives.
Spiritual character
Phalguna closes the Hindu year. Maha Shivaratri (the great night of Shiva) is its devotional peak — an all-night vigil with Shiva chanting. Holi closes both the year and winter, with bonfires and colours signalling the rebirth of spring.
शिवो भोक्ता शिवो भोग्यः शिवः सर्वमिदं जगत्।
“Shiva is the enjoyer, Shiva is the enjoyed, Shiva is this entire universe.”
— Shiva Mahimna Stotra
Key observances this month
- •Maha Shivaratri (Krishna Chaturdashi) — Shiva's great night, all-night vigil
- •Holika Dahan (Shukla Purnima eve) — bonfire of Holika
- •Holi / Dhulendi (Krishna Pratipada) — festival of colours
- •Phalguna Purnima — Dol Yatra in Bengal, Lath-Mar Holi at Barsana
Auspicious for
- ✓Shiva sankalpa
- ✓Major spiritual deeksha (Shivaratri)
- ✓Renewal ceremonies (Holi)
Traditionally avoided
- ✗Sleeping on Maha Shivaratri night (the vigil is the practice)
Festivals in Phalguna
Vikram Samvat 2083
Maha Shivaratri
25 Feb 2027 · Thu
Krishna Chaturdashi
The "great night of Shiva" — vigil through all four praharas.
Holika Dahan
22 Mar 2027 · Mon
Shukla Purnima
The bonfire on the eve of Holi — burning of the demoness Holika.
Holi
23 Mar 2027 · Tue
Krishna Pratipada
The festival of colours — last festival of the Hindu year.
Vikram Samvat 2084
Maha Shivaratri
23 Feb 2028 · Wed
Krishna Chaturdashi
The "great night of Shiva" — vigil through all four praharas.
Holika Dahan
10 Mar 2028 · Fri
Shukla Purnima
The bonfire on the eve of Holi — burning of the demoness Holika.
Holi
11 Mar 2028 · Sat
Krishna Pratipada
The festival of colours — last festival of the Hindu year.