The Hindu calendar system is based upon the motion of the moon. Each lunar year comprises twelve months. The lunar year comprises 354 days, compared to 365 ¼ days of the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar system.
This gap increases to a month over a period of three years. For this reason, the Hindu lunar calendar has an extra month every three years, named Adhik.
The month of Adhik is considered to be more auspicious, and is referred to as the month of Purushottam, Bhagwan. Those observing extra penance, bhakti and benevolence during this month gain extra blessings from God and their sins are washed away. During this month auspicious events such as weddings are avoided.
The counting of the years of the Hindu calendar commenced from the birth of King Vikram Samvat. It is for this reason that Hindu dates are prefixed with VS, to define Vikram Samvat.
The Hindu months and the Gregorian calendar months are as follows:
|
1 |
Kartik |
October |
November |
|
2 |
Magsar |
November |
December |
|
3 |
Posh |
December |
January |
|
4 |
Maha |
January |
February |
|
5 |
Falgun |
February |
March |
|
6 |
Chaitra |
March |
April |
|
7 |
Vaishakh |
April |
May |
|
8 |
Jeth |
May |
June |
|
9 |
Ashadh |
June |
July |
|
10 |
Shravan |
July |
August |
|
11 |
Bhadarvo |
August |
September |
|
12 |
Aaso |
September |
October |
Chronological List of Festivals
|
Festivals |
Hindu Months |
Gregorian Months |
|
Makar Sakranti |
14thday (B.H.)Maha |
January |
|
Vasant Panchmi, Shikshapatri Jayanti |
5thday (B.H.), Maha |
January/February |
|
Maha Shivratri |
14thday (D.H.), Maha |
January/February |
|
NarNarayan Jayanti, Holi |
15thday (B.H.), Falgun |
February/March |
|
Swaminarayan Jayanti, Ramnavmi |
9thday (B.H.), Chaitra |
March/April |
|
Rath Yatra |
2ndday (B.H.), Ashadh |
June/July |
|
Chaturmas |
11thday (B.H.), Ashadh |
June/July |
|
Hindola |
2ndday (D.H.), Ashadh |
June/July |
|
Rakshabandhan |
Last day (B.H.), Shravan |
July/August |
|
Janmashtami |
8thday (D.H.), Shravan |
July/August |
|
Ganesh Choth |
4thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo |
August/September |
|
Rushi Panchmi |
5thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo |
August/September |
|
Jal Jilni |
11thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo |
August/September |
|
Vaman Jayanti |
12thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo |
August/September |
|
Sharad Poonam |
Last day (B.H.), Aaso |
September/October |
|
Dhan Teras |
13thday (D.H.), Aaso |
October/November |
|
Kali Chaudas |
14thday (D.H.), Aaso |
October/November |
|
Diwali |
Last day (D.H.), Aaso |
October/November |
|
Ankoot |
1stday (B.H.), Kartik |
October/November |
|
Bhai Beej |
2ndday (B.H.), Kartik |
October/November |
|
Tulsi Vivaha |
11thday (B.H.), Kartik |
October/November |
|
Dhanurmas |
2ndday (B.H.), Magsar |
November/December |
|
|
|
|
|
Key: B.H.=Bright Half, |
|
|
|
D.H.=Dark Half |
