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Chaitra Month 2026: Chaitra month will start from 4th March and continue till 2nd April. The Teej festivals of this month are very special, because the Hindu New Year starts from the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. It was in this month that Lord Brahma created the universe and Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Matsya. In the month of Chaitra, the Sun is in its highest sign and in this month the first season occurs i.e. the season of spring.
Hindu New Year starts from March 19
Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar, started from March 4 but the Hindu New Year will start after 15 days i.e. on March 19. These 15 days are not counted in the new year, because during these days the moon moves towards darkness i.e. towards new moon. During these 15 days, the moon continuously decreases and darkness increases, but Sanatan Dharma talks about Tamso Maa Jyotirgamaya i.e. moving from darkness to light, hence the New Year is celebrated only when the moon starts increasing on the first day of the new moon day of Chaitra month.
month of devotion and restraint
In this month the Sun enters its exalted sign, Aries. These days it is spring and the weather also changes. Due to which health related changes also occur. This month is also called the month of devotion and restraint because there are many fasts and festivals in these days. Keeping health in mind, traditions have been created for the fasts and festivals falling in this month.
In this month, one should wake up before sunrise and take bath with cold water. After this, after offering Arghya to the rising sun, one should eat food only once a day. By doing this, we stay protected from diseases and also increases lifespan. These things have been said in Puranas as well as Ayurveda texts.
Brahma and Narad Purana: Lord Brahma created the universe
In Sanatan Kaal calculation, the new year starts from the first date of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month, because according to Brahma and Narad Purana, Brahma had created the universe on this day. About two billion years after the creation of the universe, Emperor Vikramaditya started a new era. It starts from the day the universe was created. In Brahmanda Purana, this date has been described as the ritual for worshiping the new Samvatsara.
Counting of months in Vikram Samvat in two ways
This date has been called auspicious in Nirjan Sindhu, Hemadri and Dharma Sindhu, the texts that decide the date and festival. This date is called Yugadi i.e. Satyayuga started from this day. In this Vikram Samvat, months are counted in two ways.
In Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India, the new month begins after the end of Amavasya. At the same time, in most places including North India, the new month starts from the next day of the full moon, that is why the new month starts on the next day of Holi, but the Hindu New Year starts after 15 days of the month.
The first incarnation of Lord Vishnu took place in the month of Chaitra.
According to mythological belief, Brahmaji started the creation of the universe from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. On this day, Lord Vishnu took the first Matsya incarnation of Dashavatar and took Manu’s boat to a safe place from the water during the time of doomsday. After the end of the Doomsday, the new creation started from Manu.
What to do and what not to do in the month of Chaitra
- According to Mahabharata, food should be eaten at one time this month.
- One should worship Lord Vishnu and Surya regularly and also observe fast.
- This month, it is customary to wake up before sunrise and do meditation and yoga. By doing this, one remains stress free and healthy.
- Sun and Goddess should be worshiped in this month. Due to which, along with position and prestige, one also gets power and energy.
- During the month of Chaitra, trees and plants should be watered regularly and red fruits should be donated.
- Eating food once in the month of Chaitra keeps us safe from diseases. Eating jaggery is prohibited in this month.
- At the same time, Ayurveda says to eat neem leaves.
- One should wash hands and face before sleeping and wear thin clothes. Should wear light clothes.
- There should be balanced adornment.
- This month, the use of grains should be minimal and fruits should be used more in the food.
- Eating stale food should be stopped from this month. According to Ayurveda, one should take bath with cold water in this month. One should not take bath with hot water.
Do not consume milk
In the month of Chaitra, the digestion of the stomach becomes a little weak, hence stop consuming milk in this month. Consuming milk during this month can be harmful. Consuming curd and sugar candy in this month instead of milk will be beneficial.
give up salt
Do not consume salt in Chaitra month. Do not consume salt for at least 15 days in this month. If you cannot give up then you can also manage by eating rock salt. In this month, giving up salt is most beneficial for people who have high BP.
Do not eat too much fried food
Minimize the use of fried foods in the month of Chaitra. In this month you have problem of indigestion. In this month you should consume maximum fruits. Use liquids and eat more watery fruits.
Chaitra month fast and festival list
- March 4, 2026- Chaitra month begins
- 6 March 2026- Sankashti Chaturthi
- 8 March 2026- Rang Panchami
- 11 March 2026- Shitala Ashtami
- 15 March 2026- Papamochini Ekadashi fast
- 16 March 2026- Pradosh Vrat
- 17 March 2026- Masik Shivratri
- 18 March 2026- Chaitra Amavasya
- March 19, 2026- Chaitra Navratri begins, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Hindu New Year begins.
- 21 March 2026- Gangaur Puja
- 24 March 2026- Chaiti Chhath, Yamuna Chhath
- 26 March 2026- Ram Navami
- 27 March 2026- Chaitra Navratri fast break.
- 27 March 2026- Navratri Paran
- 29 March 2026- Kamada Ekadashi
- 31 March 2026- Mahavir Jayanti
- 2 April 2026- Hanuman Jayanti, Chaitra Purnima
Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 Moon Time: When will the moon rise today on Bhalchandra Sankashti Chaturthi, know the moonrise time in your city.
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