Month 10December – January
Pausha
पौष
Presiding Mantra
ॐ नारायणाय नमः
Om Narayanaya Namah
Ritu (Season)
Winter
शिशिर ऋतु (Shishira)
Presiding Aditya
Bhaga Aditya
Deity
Narayana
Gregorian
December – January
Significance
Marks Sun's transition to Capricorn (Makar Sankranti — uttarayana / northward journey) — beginning of devas' daytime. Pilgrimages to Ganga Sagar, Prayagraj.
Major Festivals
Lohri (last day of Pausha), Makar Sankranti, Pongal (uttarayana begins, peak winter)
Major Vrata
Putrada Ekadashi (Shukla — for blessing of children), Tila-Sankashti Chaturthi (Krishna Chaturthi — Ganesha vrata with sesame), Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
Ritual Character
Auspicious activities (marriages, housewarmings) traditionally avoided in Pausha. Time for contemplation, japa, scriptural study.