Chaiti Mangalabar or Chaiti Mangalabara Osha is the vow observed on Tuesdays during Chait mahina or Chaitra month in Orissa. This brata is dedicated to Goddess Mangala. In 2010, Chaiti Mangalavara vrata dates are – March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Mangala Devi Puja or Shakti Puja is performed during the brata.
The legend or Chait Mangalvar vrat katha is associated with a woman belonging to scavenger community known as Chaiti. She used to offer wine, meat, and eggs to Mangala. She once saw inauspicious face of the Raja of that kingdom and expressed her fear in disgust. The Raja felt ashamed and crushed all her sons under a chariot. But they restored to life by the divine grace of Goddess Mangala. Since then the Raja and the queen worshipped Goddess Mangala and blessed with sons.
Chaithi Chhath is observed during Chaitra month just after Nav Varsh in Bihar, Jharkhand, and some other North Central regions of India. This festival is celebrated for 4 days similar to that of Chhath Puja in Kartik month. Chaiti Chhath 2010 date is March 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2010.
The first day of Chaiti Chhath is Nahakha Chhath, the second day is Kharna Chhath, the third day is main Chaiti Chhath, and the concluding day is Parna Chhath Puja. Nahakha 2010 date is March 19th, Kharna 2010 is 20th March, Chaiti Chath 2010 is March 21st, and Parna Chhath 2010 is March 22nd.
The major Chhath Puja is celebrated in Kartik month, just after Diwali festival.
Chaitra month or Chaitra masam or Chait Maas is the first month in Hindu calendar or Hindu Panchang. Chaitra month falls in March – April as per Gregorian calendar. In 2010, Chaitra month will start on March 1 and end on March 30, 2010, as per North Indian Hindu calendar followed in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal, Uttaranchal, and Chhattisgarh. In calendars followed in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, Chaitra Month 2010 will start on March 16 and ends on April 14, 2010. Chaitra month 2010 is the first month in Vikrutinama Samvatsara (2010-2011) Hindu year. It is to note that Chaitro month is the last month in Bengali calendar.
According to Hinduism, on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started the creation. Nav Varsh or Hindu New Year day is celebrated on the first day of Chait month. This month marks the beginning of Vasant rithu or spring season. Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, and Cheti Chand are the festivals celebrated as Telugu and Kannada New Year, Marathi New Year, and Sindhi New Year respectively.
Gangaur or Chaitra Gauri Puja, Chaiti Chhath Puja, Sheetalashtami, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Vasant Navratri, Sri Rama Navratras, Ashokashtami, Sri Ram Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Vijayotasavam are the major Hindu festivals celebrated in Chaitra month 2010.
Chaitra month or Chait mahina or Chaitra masam is the first month as per Hindu Calendar followed in many regions of India. It is believed that Chaitra masa Padyami or the first day of Chait mahina is the first day of this universe. Lord Brahma has created the universe on this day which is celebrated as Ugadi or Gudi Padwa or Cheti Chand.
“Chaitramasi jagadbrahma sasarju prathamehaani
Shukla paksha samagranthu thadaa suryodaye sathi
Pravarthayaa maasa thatha kaalasya gananaamapi
Grahannaagaa nruthoonmaa saaswathsaraa nwathsaraadhipaan”
According to this Sloka of ‘Chaturvarga Chintamani’, Lord Brahma created the universe on the first day of Shukla paksha in the Hindu month Chaitra masa. He also gradually included planets, stars, ruthu (seasons) and rains. Chaitra month is considered as very auspicious masam in which the creation of the universe has started.
In Chaitra month, the fifteen days in Shukla paksha (first fortnight / first half of the month) are dedicated to fifteen gods or deities. Each day of Chaitra month is dedicated to each God. People worship a God on each day.
The Gods to worship on each day in Chaitra month:
- Chaitra Prathami / Padyami – Lord Brahma
- Chaitra Dwithiya/ Vidiya – Goddess Uma, Lord Shiva, Agni (God of fire)
- Chaitra Thrithiya/ Thadiya – Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva
- Chaitra Chavithi/ Chaturthi – Lord Ganesh
- Chaitra Panchami – Lord Nagendra
- Chaitra Sashti – Lord Karthikeya (Skanda/ Kumara Swamy/ Lord Muruga)
- Chaitra Sapthami – Sun God (Surya Deva)
- Chaitra Astami – Mathru Devatas (Parents)
- Chaitra Navami – Goddess Mahishasura Mardhini
- Chaitra Dashami – DharmaRaju (Yudhistira)
- Chaitra Ekadashi – Maharshis
- Chaitra Dwadashi – Lord Sri Maha Vishnu
- Chaitra Trayodashi – Lord Kama Deva (God of Love)
- Chaitra Chaturdasi – Lord Shiva
- Chaitra Purnima – Lord Indra and his consort Shachi Devi
Worshipping above mentioned Gods on each day of Chaitra month brings the blessings of every God and removes sins of devotees. The devotees who perform the poojas and rituals of Chaitra masam will be blessed with a good health and wealth.
