1st

Chaitra

చైత్ర

Telugu

Mar 21–Apr 19 Lunar Aries–Taurus transition (♈→♉)

Major Festivals

Telugu New Year (Ugadi)

తెలుగు నూతన సంవత్సర (ఉగాది)

Mar 21–Apr 2

Marks the Telugu New Year with special pujas, preparation of Gudi (bamboo pole decorated with cloth and flowers), and festive gatherings. The New Year's resolution (Nuthana Samvatsara Kalpanalu) is set during this period.

Gudi Padwa

గुడి పడ్వ

Mar 25–Apr 2

Celebration of spring (Vasant Ritu) with the raising of Gudi (traditional flag), symbolizing prosperity and victory. Celebrated across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Auspicious Days for Rituals & Events

✓ Chaitra Pournami (Full moon) — extremely auspicious for New Year celebrations

✓ Chaitra Amavasai (New moon) — for new initiatives and setting intentions

About Chaitra

Chaitra marks the Telugu New Year (Ugadi), a time of renewal and auspicious beginnings. The month celebrates spring's full bloom and the start of agricultural new year. Ugadi is observed by Telugu-speaking communities globally with pujas, family gatherings, and the preparation of special festive foods. The lunar month transitions from Aries to Taurus, representing the shift from action to manifestation. Diaspora Telugu professionals in USA, UK, and Middle East organize elaborate Ugadi celebrations with traditional music, dance (Kuchipudi), and feasts, coordinating with family rituals in Hyderabad and Vijayawada via IST-aware video conference systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Telugu New Year (Ugadi) 2026?

Ugadi 2026 falls on March 24, 2026 (Chaitra Suddha Padyami new moon day). The exact date shifts yearly between mid-March and early April based on the lunar calendar. Ugadi is celebrated on the new moon (Amavasya) day of Chaitra month according to the Telugu Panchang (Hindu calendar).

What is the significance of Gudi in Ugadi?

Gudi is a traditional flag made from a bamboo pole (gudi) decorated with mango leaves, flowers, and a cloth. Raising the Gudi symbolizes victory, prosperity, and the arrival of spring. The gesture of raising the flag is thought to ward off evil and invite good fortune. Every Telugu/Marathi household traditionally hoists a Gudi on their rooftop or entrance door on Ugadi morning.

How do diaspora Telugu communities celebrate Ugadi?

Telugu associations in North America and Europe organize Ugadi festivals with Kuchipudi dance performances, classical music concerts, and traditional feasts. Families prepare special dishes like 'Puran Poli' and 'Holige'. Many participate in virtual pujas conducted by priests in Hyderabad temples. Some send Gudi-making kits to diaspora relatives who recreate the tradition in their homes abroad, maintaining cultural continuity across time zones.

View Chaitra in Other Languages

Tamil Hindi Kannada Gujarati Rajasthani