Significance of Chaitra Masam(or) Madhu Masam

                                                   Chaitra Masam


Chaitra is a Sanskrit word meaning a temple or a memorial. It is the first month as per hindu calendar.It is believed that lord Brahma has created the universe on this day which is celebrated as Ugadi or Gudi padwa or Cheti chand. It is also a sacred month for commencement for Vedic learning. That’s why it is one of the auspicious and sacred months for performing Upanayana that marks the formal eligibility to commence the study of Vedas and Upanishads.

Chaitra month is considered very auspicious as Brahma created the universe on the day of Sukhla paksha of this month.The devotees who performs the pooja and rituals of chaitra month are blessed with Good health and wealth.

 Lord Sri Rama was born on the 9th day of bright fortnight which is celebrated as Sri Rama Navami. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mastya avathara, the very first avatar of Lord vishnu took place in this month.
What better season to start the New Year, when Krishna himself has said in the Srimadbhagwadgita (10.35): “Among the seasons, I am Vasant (spring)…”

 In the Tamil calendar, Chitterai begins with the Sun's entry into Aries in mid-April, and is the first month of the year. The full moon day of chaitra is known as "chithira pournami" in Tamil which is an auspicious day for Amman.
Chaitra is considered to be a very auspicious month in which the creation of the universe was started.
"Chaitra" can also be used as a name, with the meaning of "Spring" or "Aries Sign"

Importantce of Chaitra Masam:-


"Chaitramasi jagadbrahma sasarju prathamehaani
Shukla paksha samagranthu thadaa suryodaye sathi
Pravarthayaamaasa thatha kaalasya gananaamapi
Grahantaaraan ruthoonmaasaan wathsaraanwathsaraadhipaan".

According to the Sloka Chaturvarga Chintamani, the god Bramha created the universe on the first day of Shukla paksha (first fortnight / first half of the month) in the month of Chaitra. He also gradually included planets, stars, ruthu (seasons), years and lords of years.
In this month, the fifteen days in Shukla paksha are dedicated to fifteen deities. Each day of the month is dedicated to a different god.

Chaithra maasam also known as Madhu maasam marks the beginning of spring season known as Vasantha Ruthu first among the Hindu seasons. Madhu means honey and Chaithra maasam is as sweet as honey. In Bhagawadgeeta, Vibhoothi Yoga (canto#10 sloka#35) Lord Sri Krishna says that He is the Vasantha Ruthu among the seasons “Ruthunaam Kusumaakarah” All pervading supreme Lord, Kaala Purusha, Lord Vishnu is the presiding Deity (Maasa Niyaamaka) of Chaithra maasam and hence this month is also known as Vishnu maasam.

It is so auspicious that it is the month when Lord Brahma had commenced the creation and to commemorate that day we celebrate Ugaadi festival.  Chaithra maasam is the sacred month in which Maryaada Purushottama; Lord Sri Raama was born on the 9th day of bright fortnight that is celebrated as Sri Raama Navami. It is the most sacred and auspicious month in which highly meritorious and powerful Thaaraka manthra RAMA took birth. It is the sacred month in which Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsyaavathara (Giant Fish) the very first among the Dasaavatharas and restored the lost Vedas that day is celebrated as Matsya Jayanthi on Chaithra sukla Trutheeya. It is said as per scripts that it was the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaithra Maasam that Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryaana took place that is marked as the beginning of Kaliyuga. 

It is the sacred month when Sun God transits into first house of the zodiac viz. Aries (Mesha Raasi) where Sun gets exalted. That day known as Mesha Sankramana is celebrated as Vishu festival in some parts of South India. Chaithra maasam is the sacred month in which the mighty God, Lord Hanuman was born that is celebrated as Hanuma Jayanthi on the full Moon day. It is the sacred month in which the sixty year cycle of Hindu Calendar Samvatsara had begun, starting from Prabhava and ending with Akshaya.
 
Full Moon day during Chaithra maasam known as Chittraa Poornima or Maha Chaithri is the day Moon will be at or nearer to the constellation of Chitta and hence the name Chaithra maasam.  Mars (Kuja) is the star Lord of Chitta constellation and star Deity is Lord Subramanya. Third day of the bright fortnight in the lunar month of Chaithra maasam is known as Gouri Trutheeya when Goddess Gouri and Lord Shiva are specially worshipped. Starting from this day for a period of one month Goddess Gouri & Lord Shiva and Lord Sri Rama along with other Deities are offered with special pooja ritual known as Dolotsava (Aandolini Vratha). While Chaithra Sukla Trutheeya and Pournami are Manvaadi days the days Manvanthara had begun, Chaithra sukla Panchami is known as Kalpaadi the day Kalpa had commenced.


Like we celebrate Devi Navarathri during Aaswayuja maasam known as Sharannavarathri which falls in Dakshinaayana, a nine day festival known as Vasantha Navarathri is celebrated during Chaithra maasam starting from Ugaadi day during Uttaraayana.  During this nine day period Goddess Durga is worshiped in some parts of the country while in some other parts, it is known as Sri Raama Navarathri worshiping Lord Sri Raama. During this period sacred texts like Ramayana, Sundarakaanda, and Devi Bhaagavatham are read.

With so much of significance attributed to Chaithra maasam, almost all the Deities are worshiped during the bright fortnight of this month apart from Lord Sri Rama, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Goddess Gouri.


•On the first day (Paadyami) Lord Brahma,
•on second day (Dwiteeya) Lord Shiva & Goddess Gouri,
•on fourth day (Chaturthi) Lord Ganesha,
•on fifth day (Panchami) Naaga Devathas,
•on sixth day (Shasti) Lord Subramanya,
•on 7th day (Sapthami) Sun God,
•on ninth day (Navami) Goddess Durga and
•on 15th day (Full Moon day) all the Deities are worshiped.
Chaithra is a Sanskrit word meaning a temple or a memorial.  It is the month to commemorate so many auspicious and sacred events including the commencement of creation (Srushti). It is also a sacred month for commencement for Vedic learning. That’s why it is one of the auspicious and sacred months for performing Upanayana that marks the formal eligibility to commence the study of Vedas and Upanishads.

Rituals Followed in Chaitra Masam:-

Prapadaanam (chalivendram) :-

Donating water during Chaithra maasam starting from Ugaadi day for 4 months (summer months) is said to be very auspicious and sacred.

Prapeyam SarvaSamanya Bhoothebhya: prathipaditha
PradanathPitharasarve Thrupyanthucha Pithamaha
Anivaarya Mithodeyam Jalammaasa Chathustayam

We would have come across voluntary organizations erecting spots called Chalivendram during summer months where passersby are served with drinking water stored in earthen pots covered with cloth. It is believed that conducting/sponsoring such activities gives immense pleasure and satisfaction to forefathers.  

Udakakumbha daanam:-

Udaka means water, Kumbha means pot.  Giving charity of water stored in a pot made up of Copper, Silver, or at least earthen pot (made up of mud) covered with a new cloth to a Brahmin during this period is said to be very sacred and highly meritorious.

Yesha DharmaGhato Dhattoh Brahma Vishnu Sivathmaka
Asya Pradhanathsakalam mamasanthu manoratha

Meaning: This water pot called Dharma Ghata signifying the trinal lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) bring unto me fulfillment of all desires.

Taking bath in sacred rivers, arranging of water and shelter to the travelers and people walking in the Sun, Anna Daana (food) to the hungry and needy are some of the maasa dharma prescribed during Chaithra maasam.

Celebrations in Chaitra Masam:-

1) Gudi Padwa / Cheti Chand – New year day.
2) Chaitra Navratri – Nine day celebration of Maa Durga as this month is significance of rituals, fasting and devotions.
3) Sri Rama Navmi – Birth of Lord Ram.
4) Hanuman Jayanti – Birth of Lord Hanuman
5) Ugadi – Yug(era)+ Aadi( beginning). Ugadi derivedd frm sanskrit word YUG aadi.
6) Thapna – Rajasthan
7) Cheti Chand – The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis. The Sindhi community prays with jyot or oil lamp, misri or crystal sugar, phota or cardamom, fal or fruits, and kalash or water jar.
8) Baishakhi – Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurdwara before dawn with flowers and offerings in hands on the occasion of Baisakhi. Rural areas of Punjab celebrate the festival by performing the bhangra dance.