Chaitra 2026: First Hindu Month — Tithis & Festivals

Reviewed by Shri Ankit Bansal, Vedic Astrology & Panchang Expert — May 2026

Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar — the beginning of the Vedic New Year as counted in the Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat systems. As of 2026, Chaitra falls approximately from late March to late April, opening the calendar with a burst of spring energy, festivity, and auspicious beginnings. The month is named after the Nakshatra Chitra (also spelled Chitrā), which the full moon of this month closely aligns with. Chaitra brings with it Navratri, Ram Navami, a significant Purnima, and the official commencement of a new Hindu year — making it one of the most event-dense months in the Vedic calendar.

> Quick Answer: Chaitra 2026 begins on approximately 30 March 2026 (Shukla Pratipada) and ends on approximately 28 April 2026 (Amavasya). It is the first month of the Hindu lunar year (Vikram Samvat 2083), beginning with Ugadi/Gudi Padwa/Hindu New Year on Chaitra Shukla 1 and containing Chaitra Navratri, Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, and Chaitra Purnima.

> Quick Answer: Chaitra holds the first position in the Hindu lunar calendar because spring — the season in which Chaitra falls — was considered the beginning of the natural cycle by ancient Indian astronomers and rishis. The Vedic New Year begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra). This day is celebrated as Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, and the general Hindu New Year across much of India.

The primacy of Chaitra as the year's first month is established in ancient astronomical and religious texts. The Vishnu Purana lists the twelve months of the year beginning with Chaitra, and this ordering has been the standard for both the Vikram Samvat (used across North and West India) and the Shaka Samvat (the national calendar of India) ever since.

The choice of Chaitra as the new year's beginning is astronomically grounded: Chaitra begins near the vernal equinox (Vasanta Vishuva), when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward. This marks the true astronomical beginning of spring and the renewal of solar energy after winter's contraction. Ancient rishis observed this correspondence between the Sun's northward journey and the natural world's renewal, establishing Chaitra as the cosmically appropriate starting point for the year.

Vikram Samvat 2083 begins with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in 2026, continuing the unbroken chain of this calendar system that has been in use for over two thousand years.

> Quick Answer: Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (the Hindu New Year day) falls on approximately 30 March 2026. Chaitra Navratri begins on this day and runs through Chaitra Shukla Navami (Ram Navami) on approximately 7 April 2026. Chaitra Purnima falls on approximately 13 April 2026. Chaitra Amavasya falls on approximately 28 April 2026.

Key dates for Chaitra 2026 (approximate — exact dates depend on Panchang confirmation for your location):

• Chaitra Shukla Pratipada / Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Hindu New Year: ~30 March 2026
• Chaitra Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana): ~30 March 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Panchami: ~3 April 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Saptami (Surya worship): ~5 April 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (Durga Ashtami): ~6 April 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Navami (Ram Navami): ~7 April 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Dashami (Navratri Parana): ~8 April 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi: ~9 April 2026
• Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi: ~11 April 2026
• Chaitra Purnima / Hanuman Jayanti: ~13 April 2026
• Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi: ~23 April 2026
• Chaitra Amavasya: ~28 April 2026

The month ends with Chaitra Amavasya, after which Vaisakh Pratipada begins the second month.

> Quick Answer: Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (~30 March 2026) with the Ghatasthapana ceremony and concludes on Chaitra Shukla Navami with Ram Navami (~7 April 2026). The nine nights are dedicated to the nine forms of Durga — Shailputri through Siddhidatri. This is the spring Navratri, also called Vasanta Navratri.

Chaitra Navratri is one of the four Navratri observances in the Hindu year, but it is considered the most spiritually significant Navratri along with Sharad Navratri (in Ashwin month). The spring Navratri is directly mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), which forms part of the Markandeya Purana, as the Vasanta Navratri — a time of goddess worship that predates many later festival developments.

Ghatasthapana: The opening ceremony of Navratri, performed on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, involves installing a sacred pot (Ghata or Kalash) filled with water and covered with mango leaves and a coconut. This Kalash represents Devi's presence throughout the nine days. Barley seeds are sown around the Kalash and allowed to sprout — the sprouted barley (Jau) on the ninth day is a symbol of Devi's blessing for the household's prosperity.

The Nine Forms of Durga (Navadurga) worshipped on successive days: 1. Shailputri — daughter of the mountains 2. Brahmacharini — the ascetic goddess 3. Chandraghanta — the moon-bellied goddess 4. Kushmanda — the cosmic creator 5. Skandamata — mother of Kartikeya 6. Katyayani — the warrior goddess 7. Kalaratri — the dark night goddess 8. Mahagauri — the shining white goddess 9. Siddhidatri — the giver of supernatural powers

Fasting: Those observing the full Navratri fast abstain from grains and eat only fruits, milk, sendha namak (rock salt) preparations, and allowed root vegetables for all nine days. The complete fast is called the "Navratri Upavasa."

Kanya Puja (Kanjak): On Ashtami or Navami, young girls (representing the nine Devis) are worshipped with food, sweets, haldi, and gifts. This Kanya Puja is one of the most universally observed elements of Navratri across North India.

> Quick Answer: Ram Navami 2026 falls on approximately 7 April 2026 (Chaitra Shukla Navami). This is the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The Ramayana teaches that Rama was born at midday (Madhyahna) on Chaitra Shukla Navami when the Sun was in Aries and the Nakshatra was Punarvasu. Fasting, Ramayana recitation, and Rama Abhishekam are the primary observances.

Ram Navami is one of the most important Vaishnava festivals of the year. The Valmiki Ramayana narrates that Rama was born to Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami. The Nakshatra at the time of Rama's birth was Punarvasu, and the Lagna (rising sign) was Cancer. The Balmiki Ramayana's Bal Kanda (first section) dedicates multiple verses to describing the astrological configuration at Rama's birth — a configuration that classical texts treat as the model of an auspicious royal birth chart.

The Ram Navami observance:

• Fast from sunrise (or from the previous day's sunset)
• Recite Ramayana or Ram Charit Manas (the Hindi Ramayana by Tulsidas)
• Perform Rama Puja with tulsi, lotus flowers, and chandan (sandalwood)
• Panchamrita Abhishekam of Rama's idol or image
• Sing Ram bhajans and Ram nama kirtana
• Break the fast at midday — the time of Rama's birth — with panchaamrit prasad

Ram Navami also marks the end of Chaitra Navratri's nine days of Durga worship, creating the auspicious combination of the goddess's power (Navratri) culminating in the manifestation of Vishnu's avatar (Ram Navami).

> Quick Answer: Chaitra Purnima 2026 falls on approximately 13 April 2026. This full moon is sacred to Vishnu (all Purnimas are) and is also the birth anniversary of Hanuman according to the South Indian tradition. Hanuman temples observe elaborate Abhishekam, Sundar Kand recitation, and all-day puja. In Bengal, Chaitra Purnima is marked by the Charak Puja festival.

Chaitra Purnima holds multiple layers of significance. As the full moon of the first lunar month, it carries the heightened sacred energy characteristic of all Purnimas — the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana both describe Purnima as the day when the Moon is at maximum strength, making it most conducive to Vishnu worship, sattvic activities, and charitable giving.

Hanuman Jayanti (the birth anniversary of Hanuman) is observed on Chaitra Purnima in many regional traditions, particularly in South India, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. In Uttar Pradesh and some other North Indian traditions, Hanuman Jayanti falls on Chaitra Krishna Chaturdashi instead. The South Indian tradition derives Hanuman's birth on Chaitra Purnima from the Ananda Ramayana, which narrates that Hanuman was born at sunrise on the full moon of Chaitra when the Moon was in the Nakshatra Chitra.

Observances on Chaitra Purnima / Hanuman Jayanti:

• Hanuman Abhishekam with sindoor, sesame oil, and fragrant flowers
• Recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and Sundar Kand
• Processions with Hanuman idols in many cities
• Fasting until the completion of the Hanuman puja
• Distribution of prasad (particularly laddoos and panjiri)

> Quick Answer: Chaitra Amavasya 2026 falls on approximately 28 April 2026. All Amavasyas are important for Pitru Tarpana (ancestral water offerings), but Chaitra Amavasya holds the additional distinction of being the Amavasya at the end of the Hindu year's first month. Some regional traditions observe specific ancestor rites on this day beyond the standard Shraddha practice.

Every Amavasya is the prescribed day for Pitru Tarpana — the water offering made to deceased ancestors to ensure their wellbeing in the afterlife and to receive their blessings for the family's prosperity. The Brahma Purana and Vishnu Purana both emphasise that ancestors have a special claim on their descendants' attention on every Amavasya, and failing to perform Tarpana on Amavasya is considered a significant omission in one's ancestral duties.

For Chaitra Amavasya specifically, the Skanda Purana assigns additional merit to bathing in the Ganga or other sacred rivers, noting that the first month's Amavasya — occurring near the vernal equinox — is cosmically positioned to amplify the benefit of ancestral rites.

> Quick Answer: Each tithi of Chaitra 2026 carries standard tithi significance enhanced by the month's first-month status. Chaitra Shukla Pratipada is the New Year day. Shukla Navami is Ram Navami. Shukla Trayodashi (Pradosh) falls on approximately 11 April. Purnima is Hanuman Jayanti. Krishna Ekadashi is the Chaitra Ekadashi. Amavasya closes the month with ancestral rites.

Notable tithis in Chaitra 2026:

Shukla Pratipada (New Year / Ugadi / Gudi Padwa): The most auspicious moment to receive the year's first planetary positions (Panchanga Shravan) — the reading of the annual Panchang by a jyotishi, which sets the tone for the coming year.

Shukla Tritiya (Akshaya Tritiya preparation): Though Akshaya Tritiya falls in Vaishakha, the Tritiya of Chaitra is itself auspicious for beginning new work, purchasing, and charitable acts.

Shukla Panchami: Auspicious for beginning new educational endeavours, named "Saubhagya Panchami" in some regional traditions.

Shukla Saptami: Surya Saptami — a solar worship day that falls in Chaitra with heightened solar energy due to the Sun's position in Aries (Mesha) — its exaltation sign — during this period.

Shukla Ashtami (Durga Ashtami / Bhavani Ashtami): The eighth day of Navratri, one of the peak days for Durga worship.

Ekadashi (Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi — Kamada Ekadashi): The Padma Purana narrates that the Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi is called Kamada Ekadashi ("wish-fulfilling eleventh day") and its observance fulfils desires and removes sins accumulated over many lifetimes.

> Quick Answer: Chaitra is one of the most muhurta-rich months because the Sun is in Aries (Mesha) for most of the month — its exaltation sign — and the spring energy supports new beginnings. The days following Ram Navami through Chaitra Purnima are particularly valued for Griha Pravesh, marriages (mid-April is a traditional wedding season), and business inaugurations.

The Sun enters Aries (Mesha Sankranti) in mid-April during Chaitra — typically around 14 April in most years, though the exact date varies. When the Sun is in Aries, it is in its exaltation position, making solar energy at its annual peak of beneficence. Activities requiring confidence, leadership, and the force of individual will benefit from the Sun's exaltation in Aries.

The period from Chaitra Shukla Dwitiya through Chaitra Purnima (approximately 31 March through 13 April 2026) is traditionally considered one of the most auspicious windows for weddings in the spring wedding season. Spring muhurtas in Chaitra and Vaishakha are prized because they combine strong solar energy with the absence of the summer's extreme heat.

For couples planning spring weddings in 2026, Chaitra Shukla Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, and Dwadashi are the primary tithi candidates, to be refined by Nakshatra, Yoga, and Vaar consultation.

> Quick Answer: Consuming neem leaves (sometimes with jaggery and tamarind) on the first day of Chaitra (New Year day) is a practice particularly observed in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu — it is considered purifying and health-promoting for the year ahead. Bathing in rivers during Chaitra is prescribed in multiple Puranas for amplified merit.

The traditional practices of Chaitra month connect the physical environment of spring — the neem tree's bitterness, the new leaves, the warming river water — with the spiritual significance of the new year's beginning.

Neem consumption: On Ugadi (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), a ritual dish called "Ugadi Pachadi" in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh — made from neem flowers, raw mango, jaggery, tamarind, salt, and green chilli — is consumed as the first food of the new year. The six tastes (bitter, sour, sweet, tangy, salty, spicy) represent the six emotional states of the year ahead. The neem's medicinal bitterness is specifically associated with purification of the blood and digestive system after winter.

River bathing: The Skanda Purana prescribes bathing in sacred rivers during Chaitra with particular merit, noting that the river water during the spring transition has been purified by the Sun's northward journey and carries heightened sacred energy.

Panchang Shravan: The tradition of listening to the annual Panchang reading (Panchanga Shravan) on Ugadi is one of the most universally observed Chaitra practices. The jyotishi recites the planetary positions, the year's ruling planet (Varsha Adhipati), and the forecast for rainfall, harvests, and general welfare for the coming year. Listening to this reading is considered equivalent to performing a specific puja and gaining a year's protection.

> Quick Answer: The Vishnu Purana lists Chaitra as the first of the twelve months, establishing its primacy. The Skanda Purana glorifies Chaitra month river bathing. The Devi Mahatmya within the Markandeya Purana describes the spring Navratri. The Valmiki Ramayana establishes Ram Navami's date. The Padma Purana glorifies Kamada Ekadashi of Chaitra.

The classical foundation for Chaitra's first-month status runs across multiple layers of Vedic literature. The Vishnu Purana's cosmological sections describe the twelve-month year beginning with Chaitra, establishing this ordering as the standard for the Puranic tradition. The text connects Chaitra's primacy to the vernal equinox and the Sun's presence in Aries.

The Markandeya Purana's Devi Mahatmya — the most important Shakta text in the tradition — prescribes the worship of Devi across two Navratri seasons, with Chaitra (spring) as one of the two primary observance periods. This establishes Chaitra Navratri as a scripturally prescribed event of the highest order.

The Padma Purana's detailed account of Kamada Ekadashi specifically places this wish-fulfilling Ekadashi on Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi, connecting the month's auspicious energy with Vishnu's Ekadashi system.

For daily Panchang readings during Chaitra 2026, including Rahu Kalam, Yoga, and Tithi information, see Rahu Kalam Today: City-by-City Calculator and Rules and Vedic Panchang: Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, Vaar.