The Hindu Calendar
There are two calendars in vogue. The religious activities are mainly based on the Lunar Calendar. However, some regions of Bharat(India) follow the Solar Calendar.
Lunar and Solar Calendar
Lunar Calendar
Each month consists of 29 to 30 days, and is based on the phases of the
moon. Each month is divided into two fortnights (paksha). Shukla Paksha
(Sudi) ends with a Poornimaa (full moon), and Krushna Paksha (Vaadi) ends
with a Amaavasyaa (New Moon). In some regions, (eg., Uttar Pradesh) the
month starts with Krushna Paksha following Poornimaa, but for most regions
of Bharat, the month starts with Shukla Paksha following Amaavasya.
The twelve months of the lunar year correspond to the following calender
months and make up the six seasons (Ritu) :
1.Chaitra (March-April)
2.Vaishakh (April-May) >> Vasanta Ritu (Spring)
3.Jyeshta (May-June)
4.Aashaadh (June-July) >> Greeshma (Summer)
5.Sharaavan (July-August)
6.Bhadrapad (August-September) ......... Varsha (Monsoon)
7.Ashwin (September-October)
8.Kaartik (October-November) ......... Sharad (Autumn)
9.Margasheersh (November-December)
10.Paush (December-January) ......... Shishira (Winter)
11.Maagh (January-February)
12.Phalgun (February-March) ........... Hemanta (Dewey)
Adhika (Purushottam) Maas in Lunar Year
Since the calendar is based on the phases of the moon, the twelve months of a lunar year correspond to
354 days, 8 hours and 34.28 seconds. This creates a difference of 10
days, 21 hours and 35.16 seconds from the actual solar year (365 days, 6
hours, 9.54 seconds)
When the accumulated difference exceeds 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and
2.865 seconds, an adjustment is made with a extra month (Adhika Maas), which
carries the name of the previous or the next month, depending on the
proximity of the month. Normally, seven extra months occur in 19 years.
Solar Calendar
This begins with Vernal Equinox, on or about March 21. The twelve months,
known as the Saur Maas, correspond to the entry of the Sun into the signs of the Zodiac (Rashi).
The Twelve Rashi (Zodiac Signs) are -
1.Maysha (Aries) The Ram
2.Vrushabha (Taurus) The Bull
3.Mithuna (Gemini) The Twins
4.Karka (Cancer) The Crab
5.Simha (Leo) The Lion
6.Kanya (Virgo) The Maiden
7.Tula (Libra) The Scales
8.Vrushchika (Scorpio) The Scorpion
9.Dhanu (Sagittarius) The Bow
10.Makar (Capricorn) The Crab
11.Kumbha (Aquarius) The Pot
12.Meena (Pisces) The Fish
The first month of the lunar calendar - Chaitra, corresponds to the solar
month Maysha. Maysha begins on or close to 12th day of April, and this day
is celebrated as the New Year Day known as Vaishakhi or Yugadhi.
Makar Sankranta, which corresponds to the entry of the Sun into Makar Rashi,
occurs on January 14 every year.
Samvat
Each year (called the Samvatsar, Shaka or Samvat), normally consists of the 12 months except when there is a Adhik Maas (Additional Month).
Shaka Samvat
The Shalivahan Shaka Samvat is based on the lunar calendar and the new year
starts with Chaitra Maas (Shukla Paksha). This calendar is believed to have
been initiated by King Shalivahan in the year 78 A.D.
Vikram Samvat
The Vikram Era started with Raja Vikramaditya of Ujjain, following his
victory over the Saka in 56 B.C. The new year begins with the first day of
Kartik following Deepawali Amaavasya.
The Yudhisthir Shaka, which started approximately around 5500 B.C, is not very popular today.