🪔 About Hindu Lunar Year Begins /Chaitra Navratri

It is the first day of the Hindu lunar year, known as Gudi Padva in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

The Hindu new year also marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri, the sacred nine-day festival that invokes Ma Durga’s nine forms. This time is best suited to invoke Mother Divine, the primordial energy, and to begin a Gayatri Mantra Sadhana or a Navarn Mantra Sadhana.

Pratipada Begins: 06:52 AM on Mar 19, 2026

🙏 How to Do Pooja

Recommended Ritual: Nitya Puja of Ma Durga with 24 Offerings (19 min.)

  1. Wake up early and take a bath.
  2. Clean your home and puja space thoroughly.
  3. Perform the recommended ritual with devotion.
  4. Offer flowers, fruits, and incense.
  5. Chant mantras or prayers specific to this occasion.
  6. Conclude with aarti and distribute prasad.

✅ Do's & Don'ts

✅ Do's

  • Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes.
  • Light a lamp and pray to your chosen deity.
  • Perform Pitru Tarpan and pray for the peace and blessings of your ancestors.
  • Spend time in japa, kirtan, scripture study, and self-reflection.
  • Maintain gentle behavior, forgiveness, and sweet, truthful speech.
  • Donate food, clothes according to your capacity or help those in need.

⚠️ Don'ts

  • Avoid eggs, non-vegetarian food, and alcohol.
  • Avoid anger, gossip, criticism, lies, and other negative behaviors.