Hindu Calendar March 2026: Months, Seasons and New Year Beginning

In the Hindu Panchang the month of March 2026 brings together both completion and beginning. Within these days the month of Phalguna comes to a close, the month of Chaitra begins and a new Vikram Samvat also starts. For this reason the Hindu calendar of March 2026 is not just a list of dates, it is a meeting point of seasonal change, Panchang transitions and the signs of a new year.

In March 2026 both Phalguna and Chaitra lunar months will be active. This period falls under Uttarayan and Vasant Ritu. During this time the sequence moves from Phalguna Shukla Trayodashi of Vikram Samvat 2082 to Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi of Vikram Samvat 2083. Chaitra month will begin on 4 March 2026 and the Hindu New Year 2026, that is Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, will fall on Thursday, 19 March 2026, when Vikram Samvat 2083 and Saka Samvat 1947 will commence together.

Hindu calendar March 2026: key overview

When we look at March 2026 from the Hindu calendar point of view, it becomes clear that this month holds both the auspicious completion of Phalguna and the spiritual beginning of Chaitra. Astrologically it belongs to Uttarayan and Vasant Ritu, the time that encourages fresh resolve, discipline and joy.

March 2026 Hindu calendar summary

Topic	Description
Gregorian month	March 2026
Main lunar months	Phalguna and Chaitra
Beginning of Chaitra	4 March 2026
Season	Vasant Ritu
Ayana	Uttarayan
Vikram Samvat span	2082 Phalguna Shukla Trayodashi to 2083 Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi
Hindu New Year 2026	Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Thursday 19 March 2026
Samvats starting	Vikram Samvat 2083 and Saka Samvat 1947

Both the closing phase of Phalguna and the opening of Chaitra fall within this month. For those who plan their Panchang based observances, vratas, festivals and New Year resolutions, March 2026 becomes a period of special attention.

How do Phalguna and Chaitra move through March 2026

In the Hindu calendar it is quite normal for two lunar months to overlap within a single Gregorian month. March 2026 presents exactly this situation, with the last days of Phalguna and the first days of Chaitra occurring in the same span.

• After the full moon of Phalguna the sequence moves forward into Chaitra Amavasya and the Chaitra Shukla Paksha.
• The basic principle is that a lunar month runs from one Amavasya or Purnima to the next, while the English month is fixed by solar dates.

Place of Phalguna and Chaitra within March 2026

Lunar month	Position during March 2026
Phalguna	At the beginning of the month the Shukla Paksha continues
Chaitra	Chaitra month begins from 4 March 2026

Thus any vows or practices undertaken for Phalguna will reach their natural completion in the early part of March and after 4 March 2026 a seeker can begin Chaitra based observances with renewed intent.

Uttarayan and Vasant Ritu: nature of March 2026

The month of March 2026 falls under Uttarayan. This is the half of the solar year in which the Sun is seen as moving northwards from Capricorn towards Cancer. In Vedic understanding it is often described as the daytime of the Devas and a supportive time for spiritual effort.

At the same time the month belongs to Vasant Ritu, the spring season. Vasant is praised as the king of seasons, as it comes after the severity of winter and before the heat of summer, carrying a gentle and balanced climate. During Vasant one can notice

• fresh leaves and blossoms on trees,
• a mild warmth in the air,
• soft colours and fragrances in nature.

These outward signs can guide the mind toward freshness, inner cheerfulness and balanced energy. When vows, japa or new resolutions are taken during March 2026, they are naturally supported by this springtime quality.

Vikram Samvat 2082 to 2083: Samvat transition within March 2026

A very important feature of March 2026 is that it holds the start of Vikram Samvat 2083. At the same moment Saka Samvat 1947 will also begin.

Details of Samvat transition

Samvat	Start date
Vikram Samvat 2083	Thursday, 19 March 2026
Saka Samvat 1947	Thursday, 19 March 2026
Basis of this date	Chaitra Shukla Pratipada

In the Hindu tradition Chaitra Shukla Pratipada is regarded as the start of the Hindu New Year. From this day

• the counting of the new Samvat begins,
• year based calculations related to planetary positions and Tithis are prepared,
• households welcome new beginnings, fresh accounting and renewed intentions into their lives.

Thus March 2026 is not only a marker of a change in season but also of a change of Samvat and the arrival of a new spiritual year.

When is Hindu New Year 2026 and what does it signify

The Hindu New Year 2026 will be observed on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Thursday, 19 March 2026. From this date

• Vikram Samvat 2083
• and Saka Samvat 1947

will both come into effect.

Hindu New Year is not limited to celebration. It offers a chance to

• learn from the experiences and mistakes of the previous year,
• step into the new year with strengthened commitments to dharma, self discipline, positivity and sincere effort.

Many people mark this day by

• cleaning and refreshing the home,
• performing special worship,
• wearing new clothes,
• opening new account books,
• and setting quiet, thoughtful goals for the time ahead.

What guidance does the March 2026 Hindu calendar offer to a seeker

The Hindu calendar of March 2026 gives subtle guidance on several levels.

• The closing of Phalguna reminds that every cycle reaches completion and that it is wise to leave certain burdens and outdated patterns behind.
• The beginning of Chaitra and the New Year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada shows that after each completion a new chapter opens, which can be shaped with clearer vision and stronger resolve.
• The balanced climate of Vasant Ritu symbolically teaches that spiritual practice bears fuller fruit when it moves beyond harshness and laziness into steady, harmonious continuity.

Those who look at this month not only as a set of dates but as a time for inner change and fresh beginnings may find March 2026 to be especially powerful for their journey.

Common questions

Which lunar months will be active during March 2026
During March 2026 both Phalguna and Chaitra lunar months will be in effect. The early part of the month will continue with Phalguna and from 4 March 2026 Chaitra month will begin and move forward towards the New Year.

When does Chaitra month start in 2026
Chaitra month in 2026 will start on 4 March 2026. After this date the Tithis of Chaitra Krishna Paksha and then Chaitra Shukla Paksha will unfold, with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada marking the New Year.

On which day will Hindu New Year 2026 be celebrated
Hindu New Year 2026, that is Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, will fall on Thursday, 19 March 2026. On this date Vikram Samvat 2083 and Saka Samvat 1947 will both begin.

Which Samvats undergo change during March 2026
In March 2026 Vikram Samvat 2082 will give way to Vikram Samvat 2083 on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. On the same day Saka Samvat 1947 will start, so this date carries special importance for Samvat transition.

What is the role of Uttarayan and Vasant Ritu in this month
March 2026 lies within Uttarayan and Vasant Ritu. Uttarayan is viewed as a supportive phase for spiritual effort, while Vasant provides a balanced and pleasant climate that naturally encourages renewed energy, creativity and deeper commitment to inner growth.