Holi is a Hindu festival of colours, celebrated once a year on the 14th day of the lunar month of Phalgun. It is a festival of lights, in which the god Krishna is usually depicted as having many flocks of sheep, goats, and cows, as well as many jewels, and garments that are covered with colourful flowers and leaves. It is a festival of good fortune and happiness.

In the modern day Indian context, the word phalgun is usually used to refer to the whole of the month of Phalgun, while the word fest is used to refer to any of the celebrations or religious celebrations in general.