Prathama (day)

Prathama is the Sanskrit word for "first", and is the first day in the lunar fortnight (Paksha) of the Hindu calendar. Prathama is also known as Pratipada in Odisha & western India (Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa). Each month has two Prathama days, being the first day of the "bright" (Shukla) and of the "dark" (Krishna) fortnights respectively. Thus Prathama occurs on the first and the sixteenth day of each month. It is also known as Pratipad or Pratipada.

Festivals

• Gudhi Padva, the Marathi name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day.
• Govardhan Puja, a North Indian festival, occurs on Prathama in the month of Kartik.
• Bali Pratipada, a South Indian festival, also occurs on Prathama in the month of Kartik.