Varsha Pratipada
Varsha Pratipada
Find this year's date in the multifaith calendar
Varsha Pratipada is the Hindu Spring New Year and it means Birth of the Year. Although some devotees celebrate this day, it is not celebrated so much in the UK.
It is the first day of Chaitra (the first month of the Hindu lunar year). It is an auspicious day and it symbolises renewal. It is a good day to start new ventures and it is also a lucky day astrologically.
New Years around the world
Diwali, in the autumn, is also a new year but many Hindus (particularly from South India) prefer to celebrate their new year on Varsha Pratipada.
In the UK the most popular new year day is the day after Diwali.