Month 12February – March
Phalguna
फाल्गुन
Presiding Mantra
ॐ गोविन्दाय नमः
Om Govindaya Namah
Ritu (Season)
Spring (transition)
वसन्त ऋतु (Vasanta)
Presiding Aditya
Savitar Aditya
Deity
Govinda
Gregorian
February – March
Significance
Holi is among the oldest Hindu festivals — referenced in Jaimini's Purvamimamsa Sutras (c. 300 BCE). Phalguna ends the Hindu year before Chaitra begins.
Major Festivals
Holi (Phalguna Purnima — Holika Dahan + Rangwali Holi next day), Phalguna Amavasya, Amalaki Ekadashi
Major Vrata
Amalaki Ekadashi (Shukla — Amalaki/amla tree worship), Holashtak (8 days before Holi — inauspicious for new ventures)
Ritual Character
Last month of the year. Holi marks end of winter, victory of devotion (Prahlada) over arrogance (Hiranyakashipu/Holika).