Pratipada Tithi प्रतिपदा
The 1st lunar day · deity Agni · Nanda tithi
Pratipada (प्रतिपदा) is the 1st lunar day (tithi), presided over by Agni and counted a Nanda tithi (joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure). Pratipada is the first tithi, marking the start of a new fortnight and the impulse to begin. The tithi prevailing at sunrise is applied to the whole day in the panchang.
Key takeaways
- Presiding deity: Agni.
- Nature: Nanda — joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure.
- A Nanda (joyful) tithi favoured for inaugurations, foundations and fresh starts.
- Occurs in both the Shukla and Krishna paksha each lunar month.
Pratipada at a glance
| Presiding deity | Agni |
| Nature | Nanda — joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure |
| Position | 1st tithi of each paksha |
What is Pratipada tithi?
Pratipada is the first tithi, marking the start of a new fortnight and the impulse to begin. As a lunar day, Pratipada can begin or end at any clock time, so the panchang uses the Pratipada that is running at sunrise.
Presiding deity of Pratipada
It is presided over by Agni, the fire of new undertakings. Worship and vrats on Pratipada are directed to this deity.
Nature: a Nanda tithi
Pratipada belongs to the Nanda group of tithis, which are joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure. The five natures — Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta and Purna — repeat through the fortnight and help decide which activities a day suits.
Festivals and observances on Pratipada
The Shukla Pratipada of Chaitra begins Chaitra Navratri and the new year (Gudi Padwa/Ugadi); the Shukla Pratipada of Kartik is Govardhan Puja.
- Gudi Padwa / Ugadi — Chaitra Shukla Pratipada — the Hindu New Year in Maharashtra and the Deccan, and day one of Chaitra Navratri
- Govardhan Puja / Bali Pratipada — Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali
- Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) — Kartik Shukla Pratipada
- Chandra Darshan — the first sighting of the young moon after Amavasya
Festivals fixed to Pratipada recur every year but on shifting Gregorian dates; several also depend on the lunar month and paksha. Confirm this year's dates on the festivals and calendar pages or your local panchang.
What Pratipada tithi is good for
A Nanda (joyful) tithi favoured for inaugurations, foundations and fresh starts. Combine the tithi with a favourable nakshatra, an auspicious choghadiya and the weekday, avoiding Rahu Kaal, when choosing a muhurat.
Pratipada in the panchang
You can see whether today is Pratipada on any city's daily panchang, and find upcoming Pratipada dates on the panchang calendar. Learn about all the tithis, the 27 nakshatras, or read the complete panchang guide.
Tithi attributes follow traditional sources; for religious observance confirm the exact tithi and timings with your local panchang.
Common questions
Which deity rules Pratipada tithi?
Pratipada tithi is presided over by Agni. It is presided over by Agni, the fire of new undertakings.
What festivals fall on Pratipada?
The Shukla Pratipada of Chaitra begins Chaitra Navratri and the new year (Gudi Padwa/Ugadi); the Shukla Pratipada of Kartik is Govardhan Puja.
Is Pratipada a good tithi?
A Nanda (joyful) tithi favoured for inaugurations, foundations and fresh starts.
What is a tithi?
A tithi is a lunar day — the time for the Moon to move 12° from the Sun. A lunar month has 30 tithis, 15 in the waxing Shukla paksha and 15 in the waning Krishna paksha.
What is a Nanda tithi?
Nanda tithis are joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure. Pratipada is one of them.