Today is the first day of Chaitra and the beginning of the Hindu New Year for some Hindus*.  The day has a special significance for me (in my personal life) because of an event that happened many years ago – but that is a story for another day
It is widely celebrated as Gudi Padwa and Ugadi (Yugadhi) in western and southern India. Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharashtra and coincides with the onset of spring.
From the Wikipedia entry on Gudi Padwa:
Gudi Padwa is especially dedicated to the worship of …