In the Hindu calendar, the month of April is usually referred to as “Chaitra” and it falls between mid-March to mid-April in the Gregorian calendar. Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and marks the beginning of the new year in many regions of India and is considered a time of new beginnings, spiritual renewal, and devotion to the divine.
The most notable festivals for April 2023 would be Kamada Ekadashi, Baisakhi, Bihu, and Puthandu. And wait, there’s more! Let’s have a look.
Kamada Ekadashi– 01 Apr, 2023
Kamada Ekadashi is an important Hindu festival that falls on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). This festival is celebrated by Hindus all over India with great devotion and fervor.
According to Hindu mythology, observing a fast on Kamada Ekadashi can absolve one of their sins and grant them happiness and prosperity. It is believed that Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, grants wishes to those who observe a fast on this day with sincerity and devotion.
On Kamada Ekadashi, devotees wake up early in the morning, take a holy bath, and observe a strict fast throughout the day. They also offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings for a happy and prosperous life. Many devotees also read the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and sing devotional songs in praise of Lord Vishnu.
The fast is broken on the next day (Dwadashi) after offering food and alms to Brahmins and the poor. This is believed to be an act of great merit and is said to please Lord Vishnu.
| Ekadashi Tithi Starts At | 01:58 AM on Apr 01, 2023 |
| Ekadashi Tithi Ends At | 04:19 AM on Apr 02, 2023 |
PanguniUthiram – 05Apr, 2023
PanguniUthiram is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the month of Panguni (March-April) on the day of the full moon (Uthiram) that falls during this month. This festival is celebrated by Hindus all over South India, especially in Tamil Nadu.
According to Hindu mythology, PanguniUthiram commemorates the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which took place on this day. It is believed that the stars Uttara Phalguni and Hasta, which are associated with the deities, align on this day, making it an auspicious time for marriage and new beginnings.
On PanguniUthiram, devotees offer special prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and seek their blessings for a happy and prosperous life. Many devotees also perform KalyanaUtsavam, a ritual that involves the symbolic wedding of the deities. Devotees also offer special prayers at temples and perform various acts of charity, such as giving alms to the poor.
| PanguniUthiramNakshathram Begins: | April 04, 2023 at 12:06 pm |
| PanguniUthiramNakshathramEnds : | April 05, 2023 at 01:53 pm |
Baisakhi – 14 Apr, 2023
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a major festival in India that is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs with great enthusiasm and fervor. Baisakhi is typically celebrated on April 13th or 14th every year, marking the beginning of the Hindu solar new year and the harvest season in India.
In 2023, Baisakhi will be celebrated on April 14th. The day holds great significance for Sikhs as it marks the formation of the Khalsa Panth, a community of baptized Sikhs, in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. It is also an important day for farmers, who celebrate the harvest season and pray for a bountiful year ahead.
On Baisakhi, Sikhs visit Gurudwaras, or Sikh temples, and offer prayers to Guru Gobind Singh. They also participate in Nagar Kirtans, which are processions that are accompanied by singing hymns and performing traditional dances such as Bhangra and Gidda.
In addition to Sikhs, Baisakhi is also celebrated by Hindus, who take a holy dip in the river Ganges and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Ganga. The day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Khalsa, and as a time for spiritual renewal and seeking the blessings of the divine for a prosperous year ahead.
Bihu – 14 Apr 2023
A great deal of enthusiasm is shown by the Assamese community during Bihu. A tradition dating back to ancient times, Assam’s Bihu festivals are known all over the world. Legend has it that the first Bihu Dance performance took place in 1964. Bihu types are grouped by season in the agricultural calendar. The term Bhog is derived from the Bhogali Bihu, which means to eat and enjoy. The phrase Magh Bihu also describes an enjoyable and pleasant Bihu. January and February are the months that mark the end of the harvest season (Magha).
Puthandu – 14 Apr 2023
Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year, is a cultural festival celebrated by Tamils around the world. It usually falls on April 14th and marks the first day of the Tamil calendar year.
During Puthandu, Tamils clean their homes, wear new clothes, and prepare a special dish called “MaangaPachadi,” which is a mixture of raw mango, jaggery, neem leaves, tamarind, and chilli powder, symbolizing the different flavors of life. It is believed that this dish reminds people of the different experiences that life brings, and that they should accept them with grace.
If you are curious to know in detail about the shubh muhurtas and in-depth readings of April 2023 for your zodiac sign, talk to our expert astrologer Sundeep Kochar.