Chaitra Shukla Pratipada marks the first day of the lunar month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. It usually falls in March or April and is significant for various communities in India. This day is celebrated as the beginning of the new year in some regions, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat. On this day, people perform rituals and offer prayers to deities, seeking blessings for prosperity and happiness. It is also associated with the festival of Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, where a decorated pole is raised to symbolize victory and new beginnings.