Chaitra – the first month of Hindu calendar derives its name from Chitra Nakshatra, in which full moon will shine this month. Any new beginning, even if it the annual revolution of Earth around the Sun, must start with a celebration. No wonder than this is a time of celebration across the country.
Festivities Galore!
Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana celebrate it as Ugadi that comes from the word Yugadi – the beginning of a new Yuga, Yuga here referring to the New Year. Maharashtra celebrates it as Gudi Padwa and you would see the poles with an upturned pot and a colourful flags outside all Maharashtrian homes, joyfully bringing in the New Year. Kerala and Tulunadu celebrates it as Vishu and they bring in the new harvest season by looking Vishukani or auspicious things like fruits, flowers, coconut, mirror, gold and sacred books like Ramayan. In the far North, Kashmiris celebrate it as Navreh with a similar ritual of beginning the day by looking at the Thali full of auspicious things. Sindhis celebrate it as Cheti Chand which means the moon of Chaitra month. These are the invisible threads that bind India, diversity in unity – together in roots but diverse in expression and celebrations.
In South India, the tradition of Panchang Vachan, a way to worship Kal-Purusha, by Pandits was followed by the kings. Even todays dignitaries listen as the priest reads out the yearly predictions for the year, mostly in temples. Puranas tell us that listening to this is beneficial, I assume it would help you plan the year according to the predictions, especially when there is rainfall prediction. Kashmiris even keep a new panchang in their thali for new year Puja.
Pauranik Basis of the Bharatiya New Year
If you wonder why should the New Year start on this day, well Pauranik stories tell us that it is on this day that Brahma ji started the Srishti or the creation cycle that we are a part of. Sri Vishnu took his first avatar as Matsya or fish to protect Manu and the seeds of creation in the boat, and the rest of the creation happened from Manu.
The first nine days of Chaitra Shukla Paksha are celebrated as Vasanta Navaratri, as it is the Vanasant ritu—often called Rituraj or king among the seasons. This is the time nature is at its colorful best, with abundant flowers blooming everywhere- a sign of prosperity. Nine days of Navaratri are dedicated to Devi – the divine feminine, the Shakti whose manifestation we see all around us. Kanya Puja is performed on Ashtami when young girls are worshipped as divine manifestation of Devi.
This Navaratri is more popular is cold regions. In Himachal, the devis come out for a procession and talk to devotees through mediums called Gur. Girls perform Chaiti Ralli Puja to get a desired husband. In some parts Chitraul is observed by painting the houses fresh with auspicious symbols of abundance. Bhandaras and havans are organised in the Devi temples. In Kashmir, women visit their parental homes on Tritiya and come back with Athagat comprising salt, bread and some money. On Navami, Bhadrakali is worshipped either by visiting her temple or by chanting Bhavani Sahasranam or Bhavani Ashtakam.
Eighteen days Gangaur festival of Rajasthan begins with Holika Dahan and culminates on the Tritiya of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. It celebrates the home coming of Parvati to her parental home when all the women including girls worship her through the beautifully crafted clay dolls, seeking blessings for the prosperity and wellbeing of their families. Shiva and Gauri are symbolically remarried before sending them back by enacting their wedding.
If we look at the two major seasons – summers and winters, this is the time when seasons are transitioning from winters to summers and we must prepare ourselves for the coming season. Tradition of fasting or at least restricting Tamasik food like onion, garlic or reduced food intake ensures that our body is cleaned and mind prepared for the upcoming season.
Jyotish and traditional knowledge tell us not to eat Gud or Jaggery during Chaitra month. Remember, you had it in plenty uring cold winter months, now it is time to let go of it and move to lighter liquid or juicy diets for summers.
A Ram Navami like Never Before
Chaitra Navaratri culminates in Ram Navami on the ninth day. This is the day Shri Vishnu took avatar as Shri Ram in the home of Raja Dashrath and Kausalya in Ayodhya. Both Valmiki ji and Goswami Tulsidas ji have written enough on the joy that Ayodhya felt on his birth. Even the devatas came down to have his darshan. Since those times, Chaitra Shukla Navami has been celebrated as Ram Navami. People celebrate it in myriad ways – some read Ramayan or keep Akhand Path, some chant Ram Raksha Stotra, some just chant the Ram Naam that is enough for this Kaliyuga. This is the personal puja but as community Shobha Yatra passing through the streets bring together the Ram Bhaktas.
This year Ram Navami is extra special as Ayodhya has the new temple and a new vigraha of Shri Ram Lalla. For centuries, Ram Bhaktas could not visit the birthplace to celebrate Ram Navami, but this year has opened the gates of Ram Janamsthan for his devotees. Only the devotees can understand the emotion of celebrations of Ram Navami at the place of his birth in Ayodhya. This year being the first year of newly built temple, all eyes and all cameras will be focussed on Sri Ram Mandir. Thankfully, technology allows all of us to be a part of Ayodhya celebrations from our own homes or temples.
Traditionally, most ancient civilisations celebrated new year around this time of the year, till January and February were added to the Gregorian calendar, pushing it back by a couple of months.
This is the time to take stock of the year gone by, literally for the tax authorities but generally for planning the upcoming year. It is the time to infuse fresh energy in our lives and it all begins by seeking Ashirwad from our Devatas.
