Pratipada Tithi: Meaning & Significance
🌱 · Tithi 1 (Shukla) & 16 (Krishna)
Nanda (Joy)
Auspicious for new beginnings
Fresh | Nanda | Beginnings
Pratipada is the first Tithi of each lunar fortnight — the day right after a New Moon (starting the Shukla Paksha) or right after a Full Moon (starting the Krishna Paksha). Belonging to the Nanda ("joy") group of Tithis, it carries a fresh, optimistic quality well suited to starting something new.
Occurs At
1 (Shukla) & 16 (Krishna)
Classical Group
Nanda (Joy)
Ruling Deity
Agni
Nature
Auspicious for new beginnings
Significance of Pratipada
As the opening Tithi of a fortnight, Pratipada is associated with initiative, renewal and forward momentum — a natural fit for anything meant to mark a true beginning.
Fresh start
Optimistic
Energetic
Auspicious
A Natural Starting Point
Being the very first Tithi of the fortnight, Pratipada is traditionally favoured for launching new ventures, travel and agricultural activity.
Activities Suited to Pratipada
Pratipada favours new ventures, travel, purchases and agricultural activity.
Favourable For
- Starting new ventures
- Travel
- Purchases
- Agriculture
🌱
Ruling Deity
Agni
Classical Group
Nanda (Joy)
The Deity of Pratipada — Agni
Pratipada is associated with Agni, the fire god — a fitting ruler for a Tithi that marks ignition and fresh starts, much as fire itself represents the spark that begins a new cycle.
Pratipada in the Panchanga
Pratipada belongs to the Nanda (joy) group of Tithis, which repeats every five days across the lunar month (Tithis 1, 6 and 11). This classical five-group system — Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta, Purna — is one of the oldest ways of classifying a Tithi's general character, and Nanda Tithis are consistently read as favourable for joyful, optimistic undertakings.
People Also Ask
What does Pratipada mean?
Pratipada is the first Tithi of each lunar fortnight, occurring right after both the New Moon and the Full Moon.
Is Pratipada auspicious?
Yes, Pratipada belongs to the auspicious Nanda group of Tithis and is favoured for new beginnings.
Which deity rules Pratipada?
Pratipada is associated with Agni, the fire god.
Does Pratipada occur in both Shukla and Krishna Paksha?
Yes — it is Tithi 1 in the waxing (Shukla) fortnight and Tithi 16 in the waning (Krishna) fortnight.
Explore Other Tithis
🌒Dwitiya
🌓Tritiya
🐘Chaturthi
🐍Panchami
⚔️Shashthi
☀️Saptami
🔱Ashtami
🙏Navami
🏹Dashami
🪷Ekadashi
🪔Dwadashi
💘Trayodashi
🕉️Chaturdashi
🌕Purnima
🌑Amavasya
Looking for the rest of today's Panchang? Explore the 27 Nakshatras, the 11 Karanas, the 7 Vaars, or check today's full Panchang.
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