Chaitra in the context of "Vikram Samvat"

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⭐ Core Definition: Chaitra

Chaitra (Sanskrit: चैत्र, romanizedCaitra) is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Chitra nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. The month corresponds to spring (Vasanta) season and falls in MarchApril in the Gregorian calendar.

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the last month of Mina and begins with the Sun's entry into Pisces. It corresponds to Choitro, the last month in the Bengali calendar, and Chait, the last month in the Nepali calendar (Vikram Samvat). In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the third month of Chittirai, falling in the Gregorian months of April–May.

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Chaitra in the context of Rama

Rama (/ˈrɑːmə/; Sanskrit: राम, IAST: Rāma, Sanskrit: [ˈraːmɐ] ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric Hindu traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being. Also considered as the ideal man (maryāda puruṣottama), Rama is the male protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana. His birth is celebrated every year on Rama Navami, which falls on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar cycle of Chaitra (March–April), the first month in the Hindu calendar.

According to the Ramayana, Rama was born to Dasaratha and his first wife Kausalya in Ayodhya, the capital of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Born in a royal family, Rama's life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes, such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, and challenges of ethical questions and moral dilemmas. The most notable story involving Rama is the kidnapping of Sita by the demon-king Ravana, followed by Rama and Lakshmana's journey to rescue her.

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Chaitra in the context of Rama Navami

Rama Navami (Sanskrit: राम नवमी, romanizedRāmanavamī) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Rama, a revered deity in Hinduism, also known as the seventh avatar of Vishnu. He is often held as an emblem within Hinduism for being an ideal king and human, through his righteousness, good conduct and virtue. The festival falls on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar cycle of Chaitra (March–April), the last month in the Hindu calendar. It is also part of the Chaitra Navaratri festival in spring.

Rama Navami is celebrated across India with varying rituals and customs. These include devotional practices such as fasting, prayer, singing, recitations from the Ramayana, temple visits, processions, and music or dramatic performances. Charitable events and community meals are also organized. The festival is an occasion for reflecting on Rama's virtues.

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Chaitra in the context of Bengali calendar

The Bengali calendar or Bangla calendar (Bengali: বঙ্গাব্দ, romanizedBôṅgābdô, colloquially বাংলা সন, Bāṅlā Sôn or বাংলা সাল, Bāṅlā Sāl, "Bangla Year") is a solar calendar used in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. In contrast to the traditional Indian Hindu calendar, which begins with the month Chaitra, The Bengali calendar starts with Baishakh. A revised version of the Bangladeshi calendar is officially used in Bangladesh, while an earlier, traditional version continues to be followed in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam. The Bengali calendar began in 590–600 CE to commemorate the ascension of Shashanka, the first independent king in Bengal's unified polity. Some modifications were done to the original calendar during Mughal emperor Akbar's era, to facilitate the collection of land revenue at the start of the Bengali harvesting season. The first day of the Bengali year is known as Pohela Boishakh (1st of Boishakh) which is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

The Bengali era is called Bengali Sambat (BS) and has a zero year that starts in 593/594 CE. It is 594 less than the AD or CE year in the Gregorian calendar if it is before Pohela Boishakh, or 593 less if after Pohela Boishakh.

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Chaitra in the context of Navratri

Navaratri (Sanskrit: नवरात्रि, romanizedNavarātri) is an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. It spans over nine nights, first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Ashvin (September–October). It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu - Indian cultural sphere. Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratris. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri. There are also two Gupta Navaratris or "Secret Navaratris" as well, one starting on the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of the Magha Month (Magha Gupta Navaratri) and another starting in the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Ashadha Month.

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Chaitra in the context of Mina (month)

Mīna, or Meena, is a month in the Indian solar calendar. It corresponds to the zodiacal sign of Pisces, and overlaps with about the later half of March and about the early half of April in the Gregorian calendar. First day of the Meena month, called as Meena Sankranti generally falls on March 14.

In Vedic texts, the Mina month is called Tapasya (IAST: Tapasya), but in these ancient texts it has no zodiacal associations. The solar month of Mina overlaps with its lunar month Chaitra, in Hindu lunisolar calendars. The Mina marks the spring season for the Indian subcontinent. It is preceded by the solar month of Kumbha, and followed by the solar month of Meṣa.

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