Zuko at 11:21, 7 February 2026

2026-02-07T11:21:24Z

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{{Short description|First month of the Hindu calendar}}
{{for|the films|Chaitra (2002 film)|Chaitra (2023 film)}}
{{Infobox month
| image = Jaipur Chaitra month.jpg
| alt =
| caption = [[Krishna]] with his beloved in the month of Chaitra, a [[Jaipur]] miniature painting from the [[National Museum, Warsaw|National Museum]], Warsaw
| native_name = {{Native name|sa|चैत्र}}
| calendar = [[Hindu calendar]]
| num = 1
| days = 29 or 30
| season = [[Vasanta (season)|Vasanta]] (Spring)
| gregorian = March–April
| holidays = {{ubl |[[Chaitra Navaratri]] |[[Chitra Pournami (festival)|Chitra Pournami]] |[[Gudi Padwa]] |[[Hanuman Jayanti]] |[[Puthandu]] |[[Rama Navami]] |[[Ugadi]]}}
| prev_month = [[Phalguna]]
| next_month = [[Vaisakha]]
}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''Chaitra''' ({{Langx|sa|चैत्र|translit=Caitra}}) is the first month of the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu]] [[lunar calendar]] and the [[Indian national calendar]].<ref>{{cite book|editor=Kenneth W. Morgan|title=The Religion Of The Hindus|year= 1987|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|isbn=978-8-120-80387-9|page=96}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://indiapost.com/significance-of-chaitra-first-month-in-hindu-calendar/|title=Significance of Chaitra – first month in Hindu calendar|work=IndiaPost News|date=12 April 2016 |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> The name of the month is derived from the position of the [[Moon]] near the [[Chitra (nakshatra)|Chitra]] [[nakshatra]] (star) on the [[full moon]] day.<ref>{{cite book|title=Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures|author=Garima Garg|year=2022|isbn=978-9-354-92705-8|publisher=[[Penguin Random House]]|page=75}}</ref> The month corresponds to spring ([[Vasanta (season)|Vasanta]]) [[Ritu (Indian season)|season]] and falls in March–April in the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref>{{cite book|editor=Helene Henderson|year=2005|title=Holidays, festivals, and celebrations of the world dictionary|edition=Third|location=Detroit|publisher=Omnigraphics|page=xxix|isbn=978-0-780-80982-6}}</ref>

In the Hindu [[solar calendar]], it corresponds to the last month of [[Mina (month)|Mina]] and begins with the [[Sun]]'s entry into [[Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]].<ref name="Siddhantha">{{cite book|title=The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar|author1=Robert Sewell|author2=John Faithful Fleet|year=1989|publisher=[[Asian Educational Services]]|page=334}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindunet.org/home/interfaith_relations/hirani/hindu_panchang.htm |title=Hindu Panchang|work=Hindu Net|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> It corresponds to [[Choitro]], the last month in the [[Bengali calendar]], and Chait, the last month in the Nepali calendar ([[Vikram Samvat]]).<ref name="Siddhantha"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nepalidatetoday.co/pages/year/nepali-calendar-2081/chaitra/|title=Nepali Calendar 2081 Chaitra|work=Nepali Date Today|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> In the [[Tamil calendar]], it corresponds to the third month of [[Chittirai]], falling in the Gregorian months of April–May.<ref name="Siddhantha"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/tamil-calendar.html|title=Tamil Calendar – Months |work=Time and Date |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

In the Sindhi [[lunisolar calendar]], the first month is referred to as Chet and is marked by the celebration of the [[Cheti Chand]] (birth of [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)|Jhulelal]], an incarnation of [[Vishnu]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/spiritual/cheti-chand-2025-date-time-muhurat-significance-and-rituals-for-sidhi-new-year-10226689.html|title=Cheti Chand 2025: Date, Time, Muhurat, Significance And Rituals For Sindhi New Year |work=Daily Jagran|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> In the [[Vaishnav]] calendar, it corresponds to the first month of [[Visnu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/aboutcalendar.htm|title=Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar |work=Vaisnava Calendar |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isvara.org/archive/on-the-calendar-by-srila-prabhupada/ |title=Something about the Vaisnava Calendar |work=ISVARA |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day after [[Amavasya]] ([[new moon]]) or [[Purnima]] ([[full moon]]) as per [[Hindu calendar#Amānta and Purnimānta systems|amanta]] and [[Hindu calendar#Amānta and Purnimānta systems|purnimanta]] systems respectively. A month consists of two cycles of 15 days each, [[Shukla Paksha]] ([[waning moon]]) and [[Krishna Paksha]] ([[waxing moon]]). Days in each cycle is labeled as a [[thithi]], with each thithi repeating twice in a month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iskconeducationalservices.org/HoH/practice/festivals/the-hindu-calendar/|title=Hindu calendar|work=[[ISKCON]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aryasamajhouston.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=125|title=Hindu calendar|work=[[Arya Samaj]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

==Festivals==
The first day of the month is celebrated as the Hindu New Year's Day, known as [[Gudi Padwa]] in Gujarat and [[Maharashtra]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/gudi-padwa-2025-all-you-need-to-know-about-this-auspicious-day-2697674-2025-03-23|title=Gudi Padwa 2025: All you need to know about this auspicious day|work=[[India Today]]|date=23 March 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gudi Padawa|url=http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/festivals/gudhipadwa|work=Hindu Gujrati|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> [[Puthandu]] in Tamil Nadu,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/puthandu-2025-know-the-date-history-significance-celebrations-of-tamil-new-year-9921613/|title=Puthandu 2025: Know the date, history, significance, celebrations of Tamil New Year|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=13 April 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> [[Vishu]] in Kerala,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/vishu-2025-date-history-and-significance-know-all-about-malayalam-new-year-8159275|title=Vishu 2025: Date, history and significance, know all about Malayalam New Year|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eprarthana.com/festivals/fchaitravishu.asp|title=Chaitra Vishu|work=Prarthana|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> and [[Ugadi]] in Karnataka, [[Telangana]], and [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindutsav.com/ugadi-festival-telugu-kannada-new-year/|title=Ugadi|work=Hindu Utsav|date=11 March 2019 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> In [[West Bengal]], Basanti Puja, Annapurna Puja, Ram Navami, Neel Puja, and Chorok Puja are held consecutively before the beginning of Bengali New Year on [[Poila Baishakh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/bengali-new-year-to-be-celebrated-on-april-15-1872381.html|title=Bengali New Year to Be Celebrated on April 15|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

The month is also associated with the departure of spring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/holika-dahan-2025-date-puja-time-story-what-you-need-to-know/articleshow/118942355.cms|title=Holika Dahan 2025: Check date, time significance, puja rituals and more|work=[[The Economic Times]]| access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref> [[Holi]], the Hindu spring festival of colours, is celebrated on the full moon day ([[Purnima]]) of [[Phalguna]], the month before Chaitra, exactly six days after which the [[Chaiti]] form of the [[Chhath]] festival is observed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/phalguna-month-2025-start-and-end-date/articleshow/118205948.cms|title=Phalguna Month 2025: Start and End Date|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 February 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/events/when-is-chaiti-chhath-puja-in-2025-know-chhath-puja-date-timing-history-and-important-rituals-here-122719263.html|title=When is Chaiti Chhath Puja in 2025? Know the Chhath Puja date, timing, history and important rituals here|work=India Times| access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref> [[Ram Navami]], which commemorates the birth of the Hindu god [[Rama]], is celebrated on [[Navami]] (ninth lunar day) [[thithi]] of the [[Shukla Paksha]] ([[waning moon]]) of the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/ram-navami-2025-know-the-date-timings-history-and-significance-9920146/|title=Ram Navami 2025: Date, Origin, Timings, Celebrations, & Significance|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=6 April 2025 | access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref> [[Hanuman Jayanti]], dedicated to [[Hanuman]], is observed on the Purnima day of the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/hanuman-jayanti-2025-date-history-and-significance-of-this-festival-8139081|title=Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Date, History And Significance Of This Festival|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

[[Chitra Pournami (festival)|Chitra Pournami]] is observed on the full moon day (Pournami) of the Tamil month of [[Chithirai]] (April–May) and is dedicated to [[Chitragupta]], the divine accountant for [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sisnambalava.org.uk/articles/religion/chitra-pournami-20130418045857.aspx|title=Chitra Pournami|date=18 Apr 2013|work=South Indian Society|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> People take a holy bath in rivers or temple tanks on this day to cleanse the sins of the past.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://astroulagam.com.my/lifestyle/why-chitra-pournami-celebrated-59649|title=Why Is Chitra Pournami Celebrated?|work=Astro Ulagam|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> Other rituals include special pujas to [[Indra]], offerings of rice, and [[Kavadi Attam]] dedicated to [[Murugan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://varnam.my/90597/chitra-pournami-embracing-divine-blessings/|title=Chitra Pournami: Embracing Divine Blessings|work=Varnam Malaysia|date=23 April 2024 |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

In [[lunar calendar]], Chaitra begins with the [[new moon]] day and is the first month of the year. The first day of Chaitra is marked as the [[Navaratri#Chaitra Navaratri|Chaitra Navaratri]], the lunar new year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/chaitra-navratri-2025-know-the-timings-puja-vidhi-and-more-9911808/|title=Chaitra Navratri 2025: Start and End Date in India – History, Importance & Significance|work=[[The Indian Express]]| access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Navratri 2023: Date — Chaitra Navratri|url=https://www.bhaktibharat.com/en/festival/navratri|work=Bhakti Bharat|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> [[Navadurga]] (nine forms of the goddess [[Durga]]) starts from Chaitra Shukla [[Pratipada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/navratri-2025-date-when-is-chaitra-navratri-check-rituals-and-a-guide-to-all-nine-forms-of-goddess-durga/articleshow/119629233.cms|title=Navratri 2025 date: When is Chaitra Navratri, Ram Navami? Check rituals and a guide to all nine forms of Maa Durga|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=28 March 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref>

According to [[Jain literature|Jain texts]], [[Mahavira]] was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra in 599 BCE (Chaitra Sud 13). [[Jainism|Jains]] celebrate Mahavir Janma Kalyanak commemorating the same.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KpBuAAAAMAAJ|title=Gazetteers: Junagadh|last1=(India)|first1=Gujarat|year=1975|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Kristi L. Wiley|title=Historical Dictionary of Jainism|publisher=Lanham|year=2004|page=134}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar]]
* [[Chitragupta]]
* [[Hindu astronomy]]
* [[Jyotish]]
* [[Nisan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Hinduism}}

{{Hindu calendar}}
{{Indian astronomy}}

[[Category:Months of the Hindu calendar|*01]]

Chaitra - Revision history

Zuko at 11:21, 7 February 2026