Phalguna Month 2026 — Start Date, End Date & Key Facts
Phalguna (also written as Phalgun, Phagun or Falgun) is the twelfth and final month of the Hindu Vikram Samvat lunar calendar. In 2026, Phalguna begins on 12 February 2026 and ends on 13 March 2026, making it a 30-day month that bridges the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
In the Desi Punjabi calendar, this same month is called Phagun (پھگن) and runs on a solar schedule — always starting on 12 February every year, regardless of the lunar cycle. Both Hindu (lunar) and Desi (solar) traditions mark Phalguna as a month of colour, renewal, and some of the most beloved festivals in the South Asian calendar.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hindi Name | Phalguna / Phalgun |
| Punjabi Desi Name | Phagun (پھگن / ਫੱਗਣ) |
| Month Number | 12th (last month of the year) |
| 2026 Start Date | 12 February 2026 (Phagun Sangrand) |
| 2026 End Date | 13 March 2026 |
| Days | 30 days |
| Vikram Samvat | VS 2082 (Jan–Feb) → VS 2083 begins in Chaitra |
| Season | Shishira (late winter) → Vasanta (spring arriving) |
| Nakshatra | Month named for Purva Phalguni / Uttara Phalguni nakshatra |
| Major Festivals | Mahashivratri, Holi, Holika Dahan |
| Followed By | Chaitra — the first month of the new Hindu year |
What Does “Phalguna” Mean? — Etymology & Origin
The name Phalguna comes from the Sanskrit word related to the Phalguni nakshatras (Purva Phalguni and Uttara Phalguni). In the Hindu calendar system, each month is named after the nakshatra (lunar mansion) in which the full moon (Purnima) falls during that month. During Phalguna Purnima, the moon is positioned near the Phalguni stars — hence the name Phalguna.
The Punjabi name Phagun (پھگن) is a regional pronunciation of the same Sanskrit root, used across Punjab, Sindh, and Haryana for centuries. In Guru Granth Sahib, the month is beautifully described in Barah Maha (the twelve months) — Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji composed verses about each month, and Phagun is described as the month of blossoming and divine love:
“Phagun anand upaarjanaa, har sajan mile ghar aae.” (In Phagun, joy wells up; the Lord, my friend, has come home.) — Guru Granth Sahib, Barah Maha
Phalguna / Phagun Month 2026 — Complete Date Table
Below is the complete date-by-date calendar for Phagun / Phalguna month 2026, showing both Desi (Punjabi) dates and Gregorian (English) dates side by side:
| Desi Date | English Date | Day | Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Phagun — Sangrand 🌺 | 12 February 2026 | Thursday | Phagun Sangrand (New Month begins) |
| 2 Phagun | 13 February 2026 | Friday | — |
| 3 Phagun | 14 February 2026 | Saturday | — |
| 4 Phagun | 15 February 2026 | Sunday | — |
| 5 Phagun | 16 February 2026 | Monday | — |
| 6 Phagun | 17 February 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| 7 Phagun | 18 February 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| 8 Phagun | 19 February 2026 | Thursday | — |
| 9 Phagun | 20 February 2026 | Friday | — |
| 10 Phagun | 21 February 2026 | Saturday | — |
| 11 Phagun | 22 February 2026 | Sunday | — |
| 12 Phagun | 23 February 2026 | Monday | — |
| 13 Phagun | 24 February 2026 | Tuesday | Holashtak begins |
| 14 Phagun | 25 February 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| 15 Phagun — Purnima 🌕 | 26 February 2026 | Thursday | Phagun Purnima (Full Moon) |
| 16 Phagun | 27 February 2026 | Friday | — |
| 17 Phagun | 28 February 2026 | Saturday | — |
| 18 Phagun | 1 March 2026 | Sunday | — |
| 19 Phagun | 2 March 2026 | Monday | Holika Dahan 🔥 |
| 20 Phagun | 3 March 2026 | Tuesday | Holi 🎨 |
| 21 Phagun | 4 March 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| 22 Phagun | 5 March 2026 | Thursday | — |
| 23 Phagun | 6 March 2026 | Friday | — |
| 24 Phagun | 7 March 2026 | Saturday | — |
| 25 Phagun | 8 March 2026 | Sunday | — |
| 26 Phagun | 9 March 2026 | Monday | — |
| 27 Phagun | 10 March 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| 28 Phagun | 11 March 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| 29 Phagun | 12 March 2026 | Thursday | — |
| 30 Phagun — Last Day 🎊 | 13 March 2026 | Friday | Last day of Desi year |
The next day — 14 March 2026 — begins Chet Sangrand, the first day of the new Punjabi/Desi year.
Phalguna Month 2026 — All Fasts & Festivals (Complete List)
Phalguna is one of the most spiritually active months in the Hindu calendar. Here is the complete, date-wise list of every important fast and festival in Phalguna 2026:
Mahashivratri — 15 February 2026 (Sunday)
Mahashivratri is the most significant festival of Phalguna and one of the greatest Hindu festivals of the year. It falls on Krishna Chaturdashi (the 14th lunar day of the dark fortnight) of Phalguna. In 2026, Mahashivratri is on 15 February 2026.
Devotees observe a strict fast throughout the day and night, perform Shiva Puja four times during the night (Nishita Puja), offer milk, water, bel leaves and flowers to the Shiva Lingam, and stay awake the entire night in prayer and chanting. Visiting Jyotirlinga temples on this day is considered especially meritorious. The festival commemorates the cosmic marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and also the night when Shiva performed the Tandava dance.
In Pakistan: Communities in Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities observe Mahashivratri at local mandirs with special night-long prayers.
Phalgun Amavasya — 17 February 2026 (Tuesday)
Phalgun Amavasya (the new moon of Phalguna) falls on 17 February 2026. This day is significant for ancestral rituals (Pitru Tarpan), bathing in sacred rivers or wells, charity (daan), and prayers for the departed. Shraddha rituals are commonly observed.
Holashtak — 24 February to 3 March 2026
Holashtak marks the eight-day period leading up to Holika Dahan. It begins on Ashtami (8th day) of the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna — in 2026, this is 24 February 2026. During Holashtak, auspicious ceremonies such as weddings, housewarming (Griha Pravesh), and new business ventures are traditionally avoided.
The eight days of Holashtak are associated with the eight planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Rahu. According to legend, this is when the demon king Hiranyakashipu intensified his efforts to destroy his devotee son Prahlad — a period of spiritual tension that ends with the burning of evil on Holika Dahan.
Amalaki Ekadashi — 27 February 2026 (Friday)
Amalaki Ekadashi (also called Rangbhari Ekadashi) falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna. In 2026, it is on 27 February 2026. This Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the Amla tree (Indian gooseberry), which is considered sacred to Vishnu. Fasting on this day, worshipping the Amla tree, and reading the Amla Ekadashi Vrat Katha are traditional observances. It is believed to bestow spiritual merit equal to performing the Ashwamedha Yajna.
Phalguna Purnima / Holika Dahan — 2–3 March 2026
Phagun Purnima (Full Moon of Phalguna) arrives on 2 March 2026 (Monday) in the Hindu lunar calendar. In the Desi solar calendar, the equivalent full moon also falls around 15 Phagun.
On the evening of Phagun Purnima, Holika Dahan (the bonfire ritual) is performed after sunset. The bonfire symbolises the burning of the demoness Holika — and with her, all evil, ego, and negativity. The story: Holika, sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu, tried to burn the devotee Prahlad in her lap (she had a boon of being immune to fire). Lord Vishnu’s grace protected Prahlad, and Holika burned instead.
Holika Dahan 2026 date: Evening/night of 2 March 2026 Holi 2026 date: 3 March 2026 (Tuesday)
Holi 2026 — 3 March 2026 (Tuesday)
Holi, the Festival of Colours, is celebrated on the day after Holika Dahan — 3 March 2026 in 2026. It is one of the most joyful festivals in the Hindu and Punjabi calendar, marking the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.
People celebrate by playing with coloured powders (gulal) and coloured water, singing folk songs, eating special sweets like gujiya and thandai, and visiting family and friends. The festival has deep roots in the story of Lord Krishna and Radha — Krishna playfully smeared colour on Radha’s face, and this tradition has continued for centuries across South Asia.
Colours and their meanings in Holi:
- Red — love, fertility and prosperity
- Yellow — happiness and knowledge (turmeric)
- Green — new life, nature and spring
- Blue — associated with Lord Krishna
- Purple — wisdom and spirituality
In Pakistan’s Punjab: Though Holi is primarily a Hindu festival, communities in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad and Karachi observe it with prayers, family gatherings and sweets. The festival also overlaps with the broader cultural celebration of the arrival of spring (Basant season).
Other Fasts & Observances in Phalguna 2026
| Festival / Fast | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sankashti Chaturthi | ~5 February 2026 | Ganesh worship; remove obstacles |
| Janaki Jayanti | ~9 February 2026 | Birth anniversary of Goddess Sita |
| Vijaya Ekadashi | ~13 February 2026 | Victory Ekadashi; Kumbha Sankranti |
| Shani Pradosh Vrat | ~14 February 2026 | Shiva + Shani worship |
| Mahashivratri | 15 February 2026 | Greatest Shiva festival |
| Phalgun Amavasya | ~17 February 2026 | Ancestral rituals, Pitru Tarpan |
| Vinayaka Chaturthi | ~21 February 2026 | Ganesh puja; prosperity |
| Holashtak begins | 24 February 2026 | 8 days before Holika Dahan |
| Amalaki Ekadashi | 27 February 2026 | Vishnu + Amla tree worship |
| Shani Pradosh Vrat | 28 February 2026 | Shiva puja during Pradosh period |
| Holika Dahan | 2 March 2026 | Bonfire ritual; burning of evil |
| Holi | 3 March 2026 | Festival of Colours |
Phalguna in Guru Granth Sahib — The Sikh Perspective
One of the most unique aspects of Phalguna / Phagun that competitors completely miss is its deep connection with Sikh spirituality and the Guru Granth Sahib. Two of the ten Sikh Gurus — Guru Nanak Dev Ji (in Asa di Var Barah Maha) and Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Barah Maha Majh) — composed beautiful verses about each of the twelve months. Phagun’s verse is one of the most beloved.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s verse on Phagun (Barah Maha Majh, Guru Granth Sahib p. 133):
“Phagun anand upaarjanaa, har sajan mile ghar aae. Rang rang mali des sajey, har rang karey sabhay. Anee aayi baho rang jhoolney, man tan harey bhaey. Kirpa kareh taa satigur bhetey, ih man taan milaaey. Har rung ratea eh man mangu, ichaa sab pooraaey. Nanak ang milaa prabh apney, dhan dhan Phagun sabaey.”
Translation (meaning): In Phagun, joy blossoms. The Lord, my Friend, has come to my home. The land is decorated with many colours. The soul swings in bliss. Blessed is Phagun — the month when the soul unites with God.
This spiritual interpretation of Phagun — as a month of divine union, inner blossoming and joy — gives the month a significance that goes far beyond just Holi and Mahashivratri. In Sikh tradition, Phagun Sangrand (1 Phagun) is observed with special prayers and kirtan at Gurdwaras.
Phalguna Month & the Desi / Punjabi Calendar — Pakistan Connection
In Pakistan’s Punjab (and historically across undivided Punjab), the Desi calendar has always been the farmer’s practical guide. Phagun in the Desi solar calendar always begins on 12 February and ends on 13 March — fixed dates every year.
What Phagun Means for Punjab’s Farmers
Phagun is one of the most important months for Pakistani Punjab’s agricultural communities:
Wheat (Gandum): The wheat crop planted in Katik (October) is now in its final growth stage. By late Phagun, the grain is filling in the heads. Farmers can see the green turning gold at the edges — harvest (Vaisakh) is just one month away. Final irrigation may be applied in early Phagun.
Mustard (Sarson): The iconic yellow mustard fields of Punjab reach peak bloom in Phagun. The sight of endless yellow mustard flowers against a blue sky is one of the defining images of Punjabi February. Mustard harvesting begins towards the end of Phagun.
Spring Vegetables: Phagun is the time for planting spring vegetables — bottle gourd (tori), bitter gourd (karela), and cucumbers (kheera) are sown as the soil begins to warm.
Sugarcane: In Thal and other sugarcane-growing areas, the final ratoon crop is being prepared, and new plantings are beginning.
Mango Orchards: In southern Punjab, mango orchards are being carefully tended. Phagun is when the first mango blossoms appear — a beautiful sign of the harvest to come in summer.
Phagun Month Weather — Pakistan 2026
Phagun is the transition month between winter and spring in Pakistan:
| Region | Day Temperature | Night Temperature | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lahore / Central Punjab | 18–26°C | 7–13°C | Warm days, cool nights; mustard in full bloom |
| Rawalpindi / Islamabad | 15–22°C | 5–10°C | Pleasant; occasional rain |
| Karachi | 26–32°C | 18–22°C | Warm and dry; sea breeze |
| Peshawar / KPK | 12–20°C | 3–8°C | Cold mornings; warming afternoons |
| Quetta | 8–15°C | -2–5°C | Still cold; snow possible at start |
| Multan / South Punjab | 20–28°C | 8–14°C | Warm; ideal for spring planting |
By the end of Phagun (13 March), temperatures across Pakistan are rising steadily. Spring is firmly established across the plains, and the festival energy of Holi signals the warm, joyful season ahead.
Phalguna and the Hindu Calendar System — Deeper Understanding
Amanta vs Purnimanta Systems
One detail that confuses many people is that Phalguna can start on different days depending on the tradition:
- Amanta system (South India, Gujarat, Maharashtra): The month begins after Amavasya (new moon). Phalguna 2026 starts approximately 18 January 2026 in this system.
- Purnimanta system (North India, Punjab, Pakistan): The month begins after Purnima (full moon). Phalguna 2026 starts approximately 2 February 2026 in this system.
- Desi solar calendar (Punjab): Phagun always starts 12 February (solar, fixed).
Most people in Pakistan follow the Purnimanta or Desi solar system, so 12 February is the most commonly used Phagun Sangrand date.
Why Phalguna is Special — Last Month of the Year
Phalguna holds a unique emotional significance because it is the last month of the Hindu/Desi year. Just as December carries a sense of endings and reflection in the Gregorian calendar, Phagun carries a mood of completion, celebration and looking ahead. The famous Punjabi proverb captures this beautifully:
“Phagun aya, basant layaa” — Phagun has come, bringing spring with it.
After 30 days of colour and celebration, Chet Sangrand (14 March 2026) begins the fresh new year — and the cycle of 12 months starts again with new hopes and new crops.
Phalguna / Phagun in Punjabi Folk Culture & Poetry
No article about Phagun would be complete without acknowledging its place in Punjabi folk culture. The month is celebrated in dozens of folk songs, Sufi poetry and popular proverbs:
Basant Festival Connection: Though Basant Panchami technically falls in the month of Magha (Magh), the basant (spring) season it announces reaches full bloom during Phagun. Kite-flying, which in Pakistan has historically been a major cultural tradition of Lahore and Multan during spring, peaks during Phagun.
Punjabi Folk Songs of Phagun: Traditional Punjabi songs of Phagun (called “Phagun ke geet” or “Fagua”) are full of imagery of yellow mustard fields, the cuckoo bird (koel), blooming flowers and the joy of reunion. These songs were traditionally sung by women in groups, celebrating the arrival of spring.
Waris Shah and the Seasons: The great Punjabi poet Waris Shah, in his masterpiece Heer Ranjha, uses seasonal imagery including Phagun to reflect the emotional states of his characters — Phagun representing longing, colour and the bittersweet nature of love.
Phalguna 2026 vs Phalguna in Other Years
| Year | Phagun Sangrand (Desi) | Phalguna Purnima (Hindu) | Holi Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 February 2024 | 24 March 2024 | 25 March 2024 |
| 2025 | 12 February 2025 | 13 March 2025 | 14 March 2025 |
| 2026 | 12 February 2026 | 2 March 2026 | 3 March 2026 |
| 2027 | 12 February 2027 | 1 March 2027 | 2 March 2027 |
| 2028 | 12 February 2028 | 18 March 2028 | 19 March 2028 |
Note: The Desi Phagun Sangrand is always 12 February (solar calendar, fixed). The Hindu Phalguna Purnima and Holi shift slightly each year because they follow the lunar calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions — Phalguna / Phagun Month 2026
When does Phalguna month 2026 start?
Phalguna month 2026 starts on 12 February 2026 as per the Desi (Punjabi solar) calendar — this is Phagun Sangrand. In the Hindu lunar calendar (Purnimanta system), Phalguna begins approximately 2 February 2026.
When does Phagun month 2026 end?
Phagun month 2026 ends on 13 March 2026. The next day, 14 March 2026, is Chet Sangrand — the first day of the new Punjabi/Desi year.
What are the major festivals in Phalguna 2026?
The major festivals in Phalguna 2026 are: Mahashivratri (15 February), Holika Dahan (2 March), and Holi (3 March). Other observances include Amalaki Ekadashi, Vijaya Ekadashi, Phalgun Amavasya and Holashtak.
When is Holi 2026?
Holi 2026 is on 3 March 2026 (Tuesday). Holika Dahan (the bonfire ritual) is the evening of 2 March 2026 (Monday).
When is Mahashivratri 2026?
Mahashivratri 2026 is on 15 February 2026 (Sunday). It falls on Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalguna and is observed with an all-night fast and Shiva puja.
How many days is Phagun month?
Phagun month is 30 days long in the Desi solar calendar (12 February to 13 March). In the Hindu lunar calendar, Phalguna is 29 or 30 days depending on the year.
What comes after Phagun?
After Phagun, Chet (Chaitra) begins — the first month of the new Punjabi/Desi year. Chet Sangrand falls on 14 March 2026 in the Desi calendar.
What is Phagun Sangrand?
Phagun Sangrand is the first day of the month of Phagun in the Desi (Punjabi solar) calendar. It falls on 12 February every year. The word “Sangrand” means the beginning of a new solar month — the day the Sun enters a new zodiac sign.
What crops grow in Phagun?
In Pakistan’s Punjab, Phagun is when wheat is in its final growth stage (harvest comes in Vaisakh), mustard fields are in full yellow bloom, and farmers begin sowing spring vegetables. Mango orchards also begin to blossom in southern Punjab during Phagun.
What does Phagun mean in Guru Granth Sahib?
In Guru Granth Sahib (Barah Maha), Phagun is described as the month of divine bliss and union with God. Guru Arjan Dev Ji writes: “Phagun anand upaarjanaa, har sajan mile ghar aae” — In Phagun, joy wells up; the Lord, my Friend, has come home. The month symbolises spiritual flowering and divine love.
Also see: Desi Calendar Today | Chet Month | Magh Month | Islamic Date Today | Hindi Month Date Today
Last updated: April 2026 | Source: Desi Tarikh Pakistan | desitarikh.pk