Chaitra
/ˈtʃaɪ.trə/noun
Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, usually falling in March or April.
Did you know?Chaitra takes its name from Citrā, a prominent lunar mansion in Indian astronomy, showing how calendars were historically synchronized with the night sky.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷeytós
“Bright or white; a proposed ancestral root connected with Sanskrit citra and English white.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
citra
“Bright, brilliant, variegated, or remarkable.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Citrā
“A lunar mansion associated with the bright star Spica.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Caitra
“Belonging to Citrā; the month associated with that nakshatra.”
Medieval Indian usage
Sanskrit-derived
Caitra
“The first month of the Hindu lunisolar year, generally corresponding to March–April.”
Modern English
English
Chaitra
“An English transliteration used for the Hindu calendar month.”