Chaitra
चैत्र
March – AprilAlso spelled: Chaithra, Chait
The first month of the Vikram Samvat. New Year for many regions (Gudi Padwa / Ugadi / Cheti Chand). Spring renewal. Hosts Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti.
Nakshatra
Chitra
Where the full moon falls in this month
Presiding deity
Brahma — the creator
Seasonal element
Spring renewal
Agricultural rhythm
Spring sowing begins; wheat harvest peaks in north India.
Spiritual character
Chaitra is the threshold month — the Vikram Samvat begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. The energy is one of fresh beginnings: nature is in full bloom, the air is mild, and the days lengthen. Vedic tradition treats this as the cosmic anniversary of Brahma's creation of the universe.
चैत्रे मासि जगद्ब्रह्मा ससर्ज प्रथमेऽहनि।
“In the month of Chaitra, on the first day, Brahma created the world.”
— Brahma Purana
Key observances this month
- •Chaitra Navratri — 9 days of Devi worship, less commercial than Sharad Navratri
- •Gudi Padwa / Ugadi — New Year (Day 1)
- •Ram Navami — birth of Rama (Day 9)
- •Hanuman Jayanti — birth of Hanuman (Purnima)
Auspicious for
- ✓New ventures
- ✓Marriage
- ✓Property purchase
- ✓Major sankalpa
Festivals in Chaitra
Vikram Samvat 2083
Gudi Padwa
19 Mar 2026 · Thu
Shukla Pratipada
Marathi New Year — the Vikram Samvat begins.
Ugadi
19 Mar 2026 · Thu
Shukla Pratipada
Telugu and Kannada New Year — the start of a new yuga.
Ram Navami
26 Mar 2026 · Thu
Shukla Navami
The birth of Lord Rama.
Hanuman Jayanti
2 Apr 2026 · Thu
Shukla Purnima
The birth of Hanuman, devotee-warrior of Rama.
Vikram Samvat 2084
Gudi Padwa
7 Apr 2027 · Wed
Shukla Pratipada
Marathi New Year — the Vikram Samvat begins.
Ugadi
7 Apr 2027 · Wed
Shukla Pratipada
Telugu and Kannada New Year — the start of a new yuga.
Ram Navami
15 Apr 2027 · Thu
Shukla Navami
The birth of Lord Rama.
Hanuman Jayanti
20 Apr 2027 · Tue
Shukla Purnima
The birth of Hanuman, devotee-warrior of Rama.