| Hindu Months |
Dates |
| Chaitra |
March-April |
| Vaisakha |
April-May |
| Jyaistha |
May-June |
| Ashada |
June-July |
| Sravana |
July-August |
| Badrapada |
August-September |
| Asvina |
September-October |
| Karthika |
October-November |
| Margasira |
November-December |
| Pausa |
December-January |
| Magha |
January-February |
| Phalguna |
February-March |
The Hindu calendar is based upon the start of the Saka Era in 78 CE. The date is often followed by the letters SE. The original base date for the calendar was at a planetary alignment involving Jupiter in 3102 BCE.
This calendar divides the solar year, of approximately 360 days, into 12 lunar months. In order to align it with the solar year, of 365 days, a leap month is intercalated every 60 months. This month, Adika-Masa is generally inserted after the months of Ashada or Sravana and is called either a second Ashada or Sravana.
The month, counted from full moon to full moon, is divided into two parts (paksha): waning (krsna paksha) and waxing (sukla paksha). Special rituals are carried out on the days of the full moon (amavasya) and new moon (purnima).
While the solar calendar has significance for astrological time, for ritual purposes the lunar calendar is used.
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Hindu celebrations vary widely throughout the East; various countries and ethnic groups have their own traditions. Some are:-
Lohri:- [13th January]
Lohri is a winter festival of Punjab. The night of Lohri is considered to be the coldest night of the year, and the festivities usually take place around bonfires.
Vasanta Panchami:- [5 Magha]
This is celebrated in honour of Saraswati the Goddess of learning, wisdom and fine arts. Saraswati is mainly a deity for personal rather than community worship.
Maha Shivarathri:- [29 Magha]
This is a festival dedicated to Shiva in mid-February. It commemorates the night when Lord Shiva danced his celestial dance.
Holi:- [15 Phalguna]
This spring festival celebrates the destruction of the demon king, Hiranyakishipu, and of the evil Holika by Narasimha, the half-man half-lion incarnation of Vishnu. It is a carnival-like celebration featuring bright colours, bonfires, and pilgrimages
Rama Navami:- [9 Chaitra]
This is the anniversary of the birth of Rama, the 7th avatar of Vishnu and hero of The Ramayana.
Vishu:- [1 Vaisakha]
This occasion signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha. It is also known as the Malayalam New Year's Day.
Hanuman Jayanti:- [15 Chaitra]
This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God, epitome of devotion and unswerving loyalty.
Raksha Bandhan:- [15 Sravana]
Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.
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Krishna Jayanti:- [22 Sravana]
Krishnajayanti or Janmashtami is a celebration of the Birth of Lord Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.
Ganesh Chaturthi:- [4 Badrapada]
Celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant headed god. He is the younger son of Shiva and is known as the remover of obstacles.
Navaratri:- [1 Asvina]
Navaratri is a 10 day [9 nights] festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil: In particular Rama's victory over Ravana in The Ramayana. The first day of this festival is called Navaratri and the last day is called Vijaya Dashmi or Dusserah. (9 Asvina)
Saraswati Puja:- [8 Asvina]
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and the mistress of the arts, and is the consort of Brahma. She rules the intellectual and creative realm, and is the patron saint of libraries and schools. Like Brahma, she is not worshipped much in temples. However, every year the Saraswati Puja (Navaratri) is celebrated by all: schools, students, workers, craftsmen, and businessmen, offering their prayers for a successful and fruitful coming year.
Diwali:- [29 Asvina]
The Indian Festival of Lights is held at the end of the monsoon season and is a 'harvest festival. It is mainly dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. It is the Hindu New Year. Diwali, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs. |
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