Indian Calendar

Indian Calendar - A Creation that Lasts for a Century

The Indian Calendar is not a single calendar but a collection of traditional calendars in India, which are lunisolar in structure. A calendar usually has 12 months that start with the new moon, with lunar months being 29 or 30 days, so a lunar year is roughly 354 days. An intercalary month known as Adhik Maas is added approximately every 2.5 to 3 years to keep the lunar calendar aligned with the solar year.

There are prominent regional variations, such as the Vikram Samvat, which starts in 57 BCE and is roughly 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar, and the Shaka Samvat, established in 78 CE, primarily used for civil purposes and about 78 years behind Vikram Samvat. The Indian calendar is everything because it determines when festivals, religious events, and agricultural times are and when big festivals like Diwali and Holi are celebrated. The Vedic Panchang is a type of Hindu calendar that contains five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vaar (day of the week), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (combinations of celestial positions), and Karana (half of a Tithi) to decide on the appropriate times for rituals and ceremonies. Overall, the Indian calendar demonstrates India's cultural richness and astronomical sophistication.

Why is the Indian Calendar Important?

The Indian calendar plays a vital role in religious matters, as well as in cultural, agricultural, and social life. Culturally, it serves as the foundation for numerous festivals and celebrations, such as Diwali, Holi, and Eid, which are scheduled according to its lunar and solar cycles, reflecting the diversity of customs and traditions across regions. Religiously, the calendar is essential because it is used to find the best time (muhurta) to perform rituals/ceremonies or even when to get married. All of this is determined by the Vedic Panchang (astrological calendar), which gives an hour-by-hour breakdown of the planets and their positions to make sure that all these religious observances are done in tune with favorable cosmic energies.

It is also essential to the agricultural industry because farmers use its cycles to guide when they should plant and harvest their crops, increasing production and food security. The calendar itself has a historical background in India's rich heritage and understanding of astronomy, and it is a way to keep the people together and give them a sense of who they are and where they come from. It is also used in the educational and administrative sectors to ensure that events and academic years fall on the appropriate culturally significant dates. And so, the Indian calendar is not just a calendar but a part of cultural identity and a way of life, tying the time to the people of India.

What is the Indian Calendar Cycle?

The Indian calendar is lunisolar, meaning it's partly lunar and partly solar. The lunar month starts with the new moon, usually 29 or 30 days, so a lunar year is about 354 days. This coincides with the solar year of about 365.25 days. An intercalary month called Adhik Maas is added every 2.5 to 3 years. The Indian calendar also has several regional variations, the most popular among them being the Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat, which are used in different parts of India.

Who Invented the Calendar?

The development of calendars is a cumulative effort across various ancient civilizations rather than the invention of a single individual. The beginnings of the Indian calendar date back to Vedic times, about 1500 BCE, when the first astronomers, the rishis or sages, observed the heavens. The Surya Siddhanta laid the groundwork for calendar calculations, but no single author can be credited for its invention.

Which Country Has the Oldest Calendar?

It's hard to determine which country has the oldest calendar because different civilizations made their own. One of the oldest calendars is the Sumerian, which dates back to about 3000 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia. The Hindu calendar is also one of the oldest, based on Vedic astronomy and rituals.

Who Wrote the Hindu Calendar?

The Hindu calendar doesn't have only one author, but thousands of scholars, astronomers, and sages have contributed to it over hundreds of years. Many key texts, such as the Surya Siddhanta and various Panchang compilations, have recorded the astronomical calculations and cultural practices integral to the calendar's construction.

How to See the Hindu Calendar?

People can look at the Hindu calendar through plenty of resources, including online versions with all the festivals, tithes, and shubh muhurat. Printed calendars for the Hindu months can be found at a local temple, bookstore, or community center. One can also download a mobile application that tracks the Hindu calendar and sends reminders of important dates.

How Precise is the Hindu Calendar?

The Hindu calendar serves its purpose well in matters of agriculture by effectively synchronizing lunar months with solar cycles. That said, there can be slight variations since it is based on phases. The inclusion of Adhik Maas helps maintain the calendar's alignment with shifts and cultural traditions.

What is the Hindu New Year Called?

The Hindu New Year is celebrated under various names across different regions. Gudi Padwa signifies the New Year in Maharashtra, while Chaitra Shukla Pratipada is observed in certain northern states. In Tamil Nadu, the New Year festivities are known as Puthandu, and in Punjab, it is referred to as Vaisakhi, which showcases the rich tapestry of celebrations throughout the nation.

What is Vedic Panchang?

The Vedic Panchang is an age-old Hindu calendar integrating key astronomical and time-related calculations. It comprises five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vaar (day of the week), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (combinations of planetary positions), and Karana (half of a Tithi). This framework assists in identifying moments for ceremonies and celebrations, offering a thorough reference for religious practices.

What is Tithi?

In the Hindu calendar, a Tithi represents a day based on the moon's position relative to the sun. A lunar month consists of Tithis divided into two phases: Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase) and Krishna Paksha (the waning phase). The duration of each Tithi ranges from approximately 19 to 26 hours, varying in length. Tithis play a role in planning festivals and personal occasions, with certain Tithis deemed more favorable than others.

What is the 33-Year Cycle?

The 33-year cycle is linked to customs and celestial events in calendars. Although there might be limited records about this cycle, it typically pertains to repeating festivals and favorable dates based on planetary positions and cosmic occurrences. This cycle plays a role in determining the timing of different religious celebrations.

What Calendar Do Muslims Use?

The Islamic calendar is based on the moon and consists of 12 months, lasting approximately 354 or 355 days annually. This calendar establishes the timings of religious occasions and practices such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Hajj and serves as a guideline for Islamic traditions.

What Was the 13th Month Called?

In the Hindu calendar, the extra month is known as Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas. It is added roughly every 2.5 to 3 years to address differences between the lunar and solar years, ensuring that the lunar calendar stays aligned with the changing seasons. Adhik Maas is a feature of the Hindu calendar that showcases its flexibility.

What is the Hindu God Month?

In Hinduism, the month of Shravan, also known as Sawan, holds great significance as it is devoted to Lord Shiva. Devotees show their reverence during this time by fasting and participating in prayers and rituals. Festivals like Shravan Somvar, which falls on Mondays in Shravan, are also celebrated, adding to the importance of this period for devotion and self-contemplation.

How Old is Hinduism?

Hinduism is one of the ancient faiths globally, tracing its origins over 4,000 years ago. Throughout history, it has been shaped by diverse cultural, philosophical, and spiritual influences. The Vedas, regarded as the texts of Hinduism, are believed to have been composed around 1500 BCE, reflecting the religion's profound and storied tradition.

How is it 2080 in the Hindu Calendar?

In the Hindu calendar, 2080 typically corresponds to the Vikram Samvat, roughly 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. For example, if the current year is 2023 in the Gregorian calendar, it would be equivalent to 2080 in Vikram Samvat (2023 + 57 = 2080). This time difference is crucial for grasping how the two calendars align.

Who Started Year 1?

The beginning of year 1 is different for each calendar. In the Vikram Samvat, the first year started in 57 BCE, named after the king Vikramaditya. The Shaka Samvat, another calendar used in India, began in 78 CE, marking the start of the Shaka era.

What's the Deal with All the Indian Calendars? How do the Vikram Samvat, the Shaka Samvat, and all that stuff relate to each other? Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat

Two of the significant regional calendars in India are the Vikram Samvat and the Shaka Samvat. According to the Vikram Samvat (named after King Vikramaditya), it is about 57 years advanced in the Gregorian calendar (57 BC). It is a lunar calendar with 12 months, but a 13th month (Adhik Maas) is usually added to keep it in sync with the solar year. Months in Vikram Samvat are the ones with the colorful festivals of Diwali and Holi, which this calendar celebrates.

In contrast, the Shaka Samvat was established by the Indian king Kanishka in 78 CE and is used primarily for civil purposes, including government documentation. It is roughly 78 years behind the Vikram Samvat. The Shaka calendar also has 12 months and leap years but focuses more on solar months. This calendar is important for astronomical calculations and is commonly used in Indian government offices.

The festivals celebrated can differ between the two calendars due to their varying months and starting points, which can lead to different dates for the same festival in each calendar.

Finding the Propitious Moments for Rituals and Festivals in the Vedic Panchang

Several astrological calculations and considerations determine Muhurat in the Vedic Panchang:

• Tithi: Every lunar day (Tithi) has significance. Some Tithis are more shubh (auspicious) than others. For instance, the Shukla paksha (waxing phase of the moon) is always considered an auspicious time to start anything new.
• Nakshatra: This is determined by the moon's position among the 27 lunar mansions (Nakshatras). Certain Nakshatras are connected to specific deities or are more appropriate for auspicious activities, affecting the timing of rituals.
• Vaar: Even the day of the week is a factor because each day has a planetary ruler and specific attributes. For example, some puja are better done on certain days, like Mondays for Shiva puja.
• Yoga: A technical term for specific alignments of celestial bodies. Certain yogas are seen as more favorable for different activities, such as marriage or starting a new venture.
• Karana: This is an Ardha tithi (half lunar day), and some karanas are considered shubh (auspicious) for various activities.

Based on this combination of elements, astrologers advise the most auspicious times for weddings, holidays, and personal events, ensuring they coincide with cosmic forces that are believed to affect success and health.

The 33-Year Cycle in the Hindu Calendar

The 33-year cycle in Hindu traditions is not systematically recognized like the lunar or solar calendars. Still, it does affect some of the culture's beliefs and practices. No festivals directly correspond to this cycle, but many traditions integrate it into greater astrological and cosmological schemes.

Festivals like Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years at four different locations, could theoretically match longer cycles and astrological meanings, though it follows a 12-year cycle, not a 33-year one. Alignments of planetary positions that repeat over longer intervals could affect the dates of certain rituals or auspicious events. However, these connections to a 33-year cycle are not always so clear.

Months in the Hindu Calendar

• Chaitra (March-April)
• Vaishakha (April-May)
• Jyeshtha (May-June)
• Ashadha (June-July)
• Shravana (July-August)
• Bhadrapada (August-September)
• Ashwin (September-October)
• Kartika (October-November)
• Margashirsha (November-December)
• Pushya (December-January)
• Magha (January-February)
• Phalguna (February-March)

Days of the Week (Vaar)

• Ravivaar (Sunday)
• Somvaar (Monday)
• Mangalvaar (Tuesday)
• Budhvaar (Wednesday)
• Guruvaar (Thursday)
• Shukrvaar (Friday)
• Shanivaar (Saturday)