Celebrate Hindu New Year on March 19, VHP urges organisations

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Indraprastha Province, Delhi, has urged religious, social and business organisations across the national capital to organise programmes on March 19 to mark the Hindu New Year (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada).

In a letter dated March 13, the organisation said that the day held special significance in the Sanatan tradition and marked the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It said, “Chaitra Shukla Pratipada is considered an extremely sacred and auspicious day in the Sanatan tradition of India. From this day begins our Hindu New Year. This date is not merely a change of calendar, but a symbol of the renewal of nature, culture and spirituality.”

The letter further states, “According to the Puranas and Shastras, it was on this day that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe.”

Highlighting the role of spiritual practices in difficult times, the organisation said, “Whenever the world has faced crises, unrest and uncertainty, the spiritual practices of Indian culture, yajna, havan, chanting, kirtan and satsang have shown a new direction to society.”

The VHP has urged institutions across Delhi to organise activities such as yajna and havan in temples, kirtans and satsangs at religious centres, discourses and collective prayers and to decorate homes, temples and shops with lamps, flags and torans to welcome the new year.

The letter also called for prayers of social harmony, prosperity and global peace. It said, “We believe that if all institutions of society celebrate this sacred festival of religion and culture together, it will not only strengthen unity and enthusiasm within the Hindu community but will also reinforce the spirit of welfare for the entire world.”