Chaitra Masa

Chaitra masa is named after Chaitra Poornima.  During this month on the full moon day Moon will be in Chitta Nakshatra hence, the name Chaitra masa.  This is a very sacred month as Lord Sun transits into the first house of the Kalapurusha i.e. Mesha Rasi (Aries), where Sun gets exalted.  This is known as Mesha Sankramanam.  During the first bright  half of the month (shuklapaksha) almost all the deities are worshiped.  On the first day along with Ugadi, Chaitra Navaratri also known as Vasantha Navaratri begins and is celebrated for 9 days, Goddess Durga is worshipped during these 9 days, followed by Sri Rama navami, Hanumath Jayanthi, and  New years of Tamil and Kerala where Lord Vishnu is prayed

Name of the festival                     USA (PST)                  India        

Ugadi                                                 April 1^st                  April 2^nd

Vasanata Navaratri begins                April 1^st                  April 2^nd

Gowri Tritiya                                      April 3^rd                  April 4^th

Sri Rama Navami                             April 10^th                April 10^th

Putandu (Tamil New year)                April 14^th                April 14^th

Vishu (Kerala New Year)                 April 14^th                April 15^th

Hanuman Jayanthi                          April 16^th                April 16^th