Chaitra month or Chaitra masa is the first month in Hindu calendar or Hindu Panchangam. Chaitra month falls in March – April as per Gregorian calendar. In Kannada Panchangam for Karnataka Chiatra masa 2010 will start on March 16 and end on April 14, 2010. Similar dates are applicable to Marathi, Gujarati, and Telugu Panchangam.
According to Hinduism, on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started the creation. Ugadi or Kannada New Year begins on the first day of Chaitra maasa in Karnataka. This festival is also celebrated as Telugu New Year and Marathi New Year (Gudhi Padva). It marks the onset of spring season or Vasanta ruthu. Ugadi 2010 marks the beginning of Vikrutinama samvatsare.
Kannada Chaitra masa Shukla Paksha begins on March 16 and ends on March 30, 2010.
Kannada Chaitra masa Krishna Paksha starts on March 31 and ends on April 14, 2010.
The major festivals during Chaitra month in 2010 are – Ugadi, Sri Rama Navaratras (Vasanta Navaratri or Chaitra Navaratri), Soubhagya Gauri Vrata, Sri Rama Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti.
As per North Indian or Hindi Hindu calendar, Chaitra maas 2010 has begun on March 1st and ends on March 30, 2010.
Dharmaraja Dasami or Yamadharmaraj Dashami is a puja or vrata dedicated to Lord Yama who is also known as Yamadharmaraj. This vrata is observed on Chaitra Shukla Dasami or the tenth day of bright half of Chaitra month. It falls just on the next day to Sri Rama Navami. In 2010, Dharmaraju Dashami date is March 25. This festival is observed with utmost fervor at some temples dedicated to Lord Yama in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
On Dharmaraja Dashami day, Lord Yama is offered arghyam. Nakshatra Linga Puja is another major ritual performed on the day. Yama Vandanam, a sacred hymn to Lord Yama, is recited during the vratam.
Chitragupta Puja is observed on Chaitra Purnima, the Full Moon day in Chaitra month. It is one of the big festivals for Kayasta sect of people. In 2010, Chaitra Purnima Chitragupta Puja date is March 30. Chaitragupt is believed to be the accountant or record keeper of Lord Yama’s register Agra-Sandhaani. On Chaitra Purnima day, Chaitragupta is worshipped with shodashopachar puja.
Chaitra Poornima Chaitragupta pooja is celebrated in a grand manner in Tamil Nadu. At Kanchipuam, and some temples in Chennai, the image of Chaitragupta is taken out in a procession. On this day devotees take holy dip in the river Chitra. Literally, Chitragupta means the hidden picture but he records our every pap and punya (sin and good deed). Chitragupta Puja is also celebrated during Diwali as Chitragupta Jayanti or Dawat Puja on Bhai Dhooj.
Anang Trayodashi or Anang Trayodasi vrat is a vow dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is observed on the thirteenth day of the Shukla Paksha or bright half of the Chaitra mahina in Maharashtra, Gujarat and some south Indian regions. Anang vrat 2010 date is March 28. The vrat lasts for a year with worshipping Rati and Anang.
Simple Shiva puja is performed on this day Brahmins are fed with meals and donation of money and commodities are made to them. It is believed that those who observe Anang Vrat will be blessed with better health, wealth, and prosperity.
In North Indian states, Anang Vrat is observed on Margashirsh Shukla Trayodashi, the thirteenth day in Margashirsh month. The rituals, customs, and puja procedure may slightly from region to region.
March 2010 is a month of Hindu festivals. There will be a huge list of festivals and auspicious days to celebrate in March 2010. March 2010 coincides with Chaitra month in North Indian Hindu calendars. It comprises of Falguna month and Chaitra month in Hindu calendar followed in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat. In some areas, Holi 2010 is celebrated on March 1st. Other major festivals are – Vasantotsav, Sheetalashtami, Ashokashtami, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Nav Varsh, Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri, Sri Rama Navaratras, Sri Rama Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti.
Festivals dates March 2010 – Festival Calendar for March 2010:
- Holi Basantotsav – March 1, 2010 (Holi 2010 date is March 1st in some places)
- Sheetalashtami 2010 – March March 8th
- Sankashti Chaturthi – March 3, 2010
- Sheetalashtami – March 8, 2010
- Ekadashi – March 11, 2010
- Masa Shivaratri – March 13, 2010
- Pradosham – March 13, 2010 – Shani Pradosh Puja
- Guru Moodam samapthi – March 14, 2010 – Guru Moodami Thyagam
- Amavasya – March 15, 2010 – Somavati Amavasya
- Ugadi – March 16, 2010 – Vikrutinama Samvatsara Ugadi – thailabhyanganam – Nava vasthrabharanam – Brahma damana puja – Prapadana prarambh
- Vasant Navratri 2010 or Chaitra Navratri starts – March 16, 2010
- Chaitra Chandrodayam – March 17, 2010 – Uma Shivagni Puja
- Dola Gauri Vratam – March 18, 2010 – Soubhagya Gauri Vratam
- Gangaur 2010 – March 18, 2010
- Matsya Jayanti 2010 – March 18, 2010
- Sri Rama Dolotsavam – March 18, 2010
- Ganesha Damanapuja – March 19, 2010
- Shri Vratam – March 20, 2010 – Panchamurthi Vratam – Sri Rama Rajyotsavam – Nagadamana puja
- Meshayanam – March 20, 2010
- Skanda damanaropana – March 21, 2010
- Suryadamana puja – March 22, 2010
- Ashokashtami 2010 – March 23, 2010 – Mathrudamana puja
- Sri Rama Navami 2010 – March 24, 2010 – Mahishasura Mardhini damanaropanam
- Shalivahana Jayanthi – Dharmaraja damanapuja – March 25, 2010
- Ekadashi March 2010 – March 26, 2010 – Vishnu dolotsavam – Maharshi damanapuja
- Shani Trayodashi – March 27, 2010
- Vamana Dwadashi – March 27, 2010
- Pradosh – Shani Pradosham – March 27, 2010
- Hanuman Jayanthi – March 30, 2010 – Hanumath Vijayotsavam
- Maha Chaitri – March 30, 2010 – Pathala Vratam
- Chitragupta Vratam – March 30, 2010
