Gudi Padwa / Ugadi — Hindu New Year

On Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Brahma — emerging from the lotus in Vishnu's navel — began the work of creation. He first created the five elements, then the mind-born sages, then the rest of existence. This is why the day is the Hindu New Year across multiple regions — each with a different name: Ugadi (yuga + adi, 'beginning of the age'), Gudi Padwa (the 'gudi' pole raised in Maharashtra), Cheti Chand (Sindhi new year celebrating Jhulelal). The story of cosmic beginnings and regional expressions of the same cosmic moment.

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada marks the commencement of Chaitra Navaratri, a significant nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Devotees perform Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana, a ritual involving the installation of a sacred pot, symbolizing the invocation of the Divine Mother. This period is observed with fasting, prayers, and the recitation of scriptures such as the Devi Mahatmya.

On the first day of Chaitra Navaratri, devotees traditionally worship Goddess Shailaputri, who is the first among the Navadurga forms of Goddess Durga. Shailaputri, meaning 'Daughter of the Mountains,' represents purity, devotion, and the power of nature. Her worship marks the initial step in the nine-day spiritual journey dedicated to the various manifestations of the Divine Mother.

In Varanasi, on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, a unique ritual takes place at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Ganga Jal (water from the holy Ganga) is brought in nine urns from the nearby Goddess Vishalakshi Temple. This sacred water is then used to perform the Jalabhishek (ablution) of Lord Vishwanath, followed by the recitation of the Durga Saptashati, marking the beginning of Chaitra Navaratri celebrations in the city.

Lord Vishnu is believed to have incarnated as Matsya, the fish avatar, on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada during the Satya Yuga. In this form, he saved Manu and the seven sages (Saptarishis) from a great deluge, guiding their boat to safety. The Matsya Avatara also recovered the sacred Vedas, which had been stolen by the demon Hayagriva.