Chaitra – the primary month of the Indian Hindu Calendar derives its identify from Chitra Nakshatra, during which the total moon will shine. Any new starting, even when it’s the annual revolution of the Earth across the Solar should begin with a celebration. No marvel then it is a time of celebration throughout the nation.
Chaitra – Nava Samvatsara or New Yr
Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana have a good time it as Ugadi. Which comes from the phrase Yugadi – the start of a brand new Yuga. Yuga right here refers back to the new 12 months. Maharashtra celebrates it as Gudi Padwa. You’d see the poles with an upturned pot and a vibrant flag outdoors all Maharashtrian houses, joyfully bringing within the new 12 months. Kerala and Tulunadu have a good time it as Vishu. They bring about within the new harvest season by taking a look at Vishukani or auspicious issues like fruits, flowers, coconut, mirror, gold and sacred books like Ramayana.
Within the far north, Kashmiris have a good time it as Navreh with an analogous ritual of starting the day by wanting on the Thali filled with auspicious issues. Sindhis have a good time it as Cheti Chand which implies the moon of Chaitra month.
These are the invisible threads that bind India, range in unity – collectively in roots however numerous in expression and celebrations.
Panchang Vachan
In South India, the custom of Panchang Vachan, a solution to worship Kal-Purusha, by pandits was adopted by the Kings. Even immediately dignitaries pay attention because the priest reads out the yearly predictions for the 12 months, largely in temples. Puranas inform us that listening to that is useful. I assume it might show you how to plan the 12 months in accordance with the predictions, particularly when there may be rainfall prediction. Kashmiris even hold a brand new Panchang of their thali for the brand new 12 months Puja.
Do you marvel why ought to the brand new 12 months begin on at the present time? Effectively, Pauranik tales inform us that it’s on at the present time that Brahma ji began the Srishti or the creation cycle that we’re part of. Sri Vishnu took his first avatar as Matsya or fish to guard Manu and the seeds of creation within the boat. The remainder of the creation occurred from Manu.
Vasanta Navaratri
The primary 9 days of Chaitra Shukla Paksha are celebrated as Vasanta Navaratri. It’s the Vanasantritu – typically known as Rituraj or king among the many seasons. That is the time when nature is at its colourful greatest, with plentiful flowers blooming all over the place – an indication of prosperity. 9 days of Navaratri are devoted to Devi – the divine female, the Shakti whose manifestation we see throughout us. Kanya Puja is carried out on Ashtami when younger ladies are worshipped as divine manifestations of Devi.
This Navaratri is extra common in chilly areas. In Himachal, the Devis come out for a procession and speak to devotees by way of mediums known as Gur. Ladies carry out Chaiti Ralli Puja to get a desired husband. In some components, Chitraul is noticed by portray the homes contemporary with auspicious symbols of abundance. Bhandaras and Havans are organized within the Devi temples. In Kashmir, girls go to their parental houses on Tritiya and are available again with Athagat comprising of salt, bread and a few cash. On Navami, Bhadrakali is worshipped both by visiting her temple or by chanting Bhavani Sahasranam or Bhavani Ashtakam.
18 days Gangaur pageant of Rajasthan begins with Holika Dahan and culminates with the Tritiya of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. It celebrates the homecoming of Parvati to her parental residence. That’s when all the ladies together with ladies worship her by way of the superbly crafted clay dolls, looking for blessings for the prosperity and wellbeing of their households. Shiva and Gauri are symbolically remarried earlier than sending them again by enacting their marriage ceremony.
Transitioning Seasons
If we have a look at the 2 main seasons – summers and winters, that is the time when seasons are transitioning from winters to summers. We should put together ourselves for the approaching season. The custom of fasting or at the least proscribing Tamasik meals like onion, garlic or decreased meals consumption ensures that our physique is cleansed. Our minds are ready for the upcoming season.
Jyotish and conventional information inform us to not eat Gud or Jaggery throughout Chaitra month. Bear in mind you had it quite a bit in the course of the chilly winter months. Now it’s time to let go of it and transfer to lighter liquid or juicy diets for the summers.
Chaitra Navaratri culminates Ram Navami
Chaitra Navaratri culminates in Ram Navami on the ninth day. That is the day Sri Vishnu took an avatar as Sri Ram within the residence of Raja Dashrath and Kausalya in Ayodhya. Each Valmiki ji and Goswami Tulsidas ji have written sufficient concerning the pleasure that Ayodhya felt at his beginning. Even the devatas got here right down to have Ram’s darshan. Since these occasions, Chaitra Shukla Navami has been celebrated as Ram Navami. Individuals have a good time it in myriad methods. Some learn Ramayana or hold Akhand Path, some chant Ram Raksha Stotra and a few simply chant the Ram Naam, that’s sufficient for this Kaliyuga. That is the non-public puja, however as a neighborhood Shobha Yatra passing by way of the streets brings collectively the Ram Bhaktas.
New Ram Temple
This 12 months Ram Navami is further particular as Ayodhya has a brand new temple. A brand new vigraha of Sri Ram Lalla. For hundreds of years, Ram Bhaktas couldn’t go to the birthplace to have a good time Ram Navami. However this 12 months has opened the gates of Ram Janamsthan for his devotees. Solely the devotees can perceive the emotion of the celebrations of Ram Navami on the place of his beginning in Ayodhya. This 12 months being the primary 12 months of the newly constructed temple, all eyes and all cameras can be focussed on Sri Ram Mandir. Fortunately, expertise permits all of us to be part of Ayodhya celebrations from our personal houses or temples.
Historically, most historic civilizations celebrated New Yr round this time of the 12 months. That’s until January and February have been added to the Gregorian calendar and pushed again by a few months.
That is the time to take inventory of the 12 months passed by, actually for the tax authorities. However typically for planning the upcoming 12 months. It’s the time to infuse contemporary power into our lives. All of it begins by looking for Ashirwad from our Devatas.
Nava Samvatsar ki Shubhkaamnayen!
This text by Anuradha Goyal was first printed in The Organiser on April 09, 2024. This model has been edited for on-line publication.
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