Thursday, October 27, 2005

The Hindu Calendar - Part II

The Lunar Calender

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 (Rutu) :
  1. Chaitra (March-April)
  2. Vaishakh (April-May) - Vasanta Rutu (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) - Hemanta (Winter)
  11. Maagh (January-February)
  12. Phalgun (February-March) - Shishira (Dewey)
To be continued...

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