Indian New Year 2079

Indian New Year and Chaitra Navratri

The next day(following sunrise) after Amavasya( No Moon) of Chaitra month marks the beginning of Hindu Vedic New Year also known as Chaitra Pratipada and Indian New Year. This is significant in places around India that follow the Lunar calendar.

Today is Chaitra Pratipada which marks the beginning of Shri Vikram Samvat 2079 along with the beginning of Chaitra Navratri. Chaitra is the first month of the year.

Indian National Calendar
India’s national calendar based on the Saka Era, was adopted on 22 March 1957 with Chaitra as its first month. Nepal also follows the same calendar known as Vikram Samvat or Bikram Sambat.

Different Names
This New Year is celebrated across different parts of India with different names such as Navreh in Kashmir, Chaitra Pratipada in some Northern states of India, Gudi Padwa in Maharastra,
Ugadi/Yugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Cheti Chand for the Sindhi community.

Solar New Year with Sankranti
Some parts of India begin their new year with Mesha Sankranti(14-15 April) (where they follow the solar calendar) just like Tamil Nadu celebrates Puthandu, Vishu in Kerala, Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab, Pôhela Boishakh in Bengal.

Importance of Chaitra Navratri
The celebration of New Year commences with 9 days of rituals, fast, homa, prayers, and celebrations of Navratri. Navratri is the 9 days of worhsipping and honoring the 9 different forms of feminine energy, Maa Durga. It is also the time of change of seasons and thus the purpose of fasting and rituals is to give time to the body and mind to adapt to the change.