In contrast to the Gregorian calendar which considers 1stJanuary as the first day of the year, the Hindu calendar celebrates Chaitra Shukla Pratipada as the day which marks the beginning of New Year. 1stJanuary happens to be the peak of winters, whereas Chaitra Shukla Pratipada marks the beginning of spring. Spring brings with it brighter and warmer days. Trees and bushes that lost their leaves over the winter begin to grow new leaves again and also flower in spring.
However, for years we have been celebrating new year according to the Gregorian calendar. People have no idea that real new year starts when nature comes alive again, that is, the Chaitra day. To revive and remind people about the importance of this auspicious day, DJJS under the benign guidance of His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj Ji celebrated Chaitra of Vikram Samvat 2076, i.e., 6th April, 2019 in all its branches across India including Jodhpur, Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Jagadhari, Bangalore, Dibrugarh, Meerut, Ahmedabad etc.. through spiritual rallies and events.
The rallies and events were organised to emphasise the importance of celebrating Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana that Lord Brahma began creating earth on the day of Chaitra and continued to do so till the night of the ninth day. He created earth with the help of nine forms of auspicious feminine energy known as the nine forms of goddess Durga. These nine days are also celebrated as the Navratri, the ‘new nine nights’. This is another reason why this day is celebrated as the new year’s day in ancient Indian tradition.
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada brings positive energy and has an uplifting vibe to it, thus enabling the spiritual upliftment of the human race. This day is also marked by countless other important events, according to the Hindu tradition. For instance, Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth in His matsya avataron Chairta in the Satya/ Krita Yuga. The coronation of Shri Rama took place on Chaitra in the Treta Yuga and that of Prince Yudhisthira's in the Dvapara Yuga. It is also considered in the Hindu tradition that the astrological placement of planets on Chaitra lends this day an auspiciousness par excellence. So, there are numerous reasons, why this day is considered so auspicious and celebrated as the first day of the year.
