Hindu Calendar

Hindu Calendar: Months, Days, Phases



The various Hindu calendars are based on eras and epochs. Generally, the Hindu calendar follows the lunar year that consists of 12 lunar months. A lunar month has two fortnights. The tables below explain these concepts of the Hindu calendar system, tell you their Sanskrit names and their correlation with the Gregorian calendar.


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The Hindu Eras & Epochs

Hindu Western
Kali Yug 3012 BC
Vikram Samvant 57 AD
Saka 78 AD


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The 12 Months

A lunar calendar is used to determine the dates of most of the Hindu festivals. The Indian lunar year consists of twelve lunar months, with an intercalary month inserted about once every three years. A lunar month lasts from one new moon to the next, and is named for the Indian solar month that it begins in. Hence, the lunar month Vaisakha will begin with the first new moon after April 21, the beginning date of the solar month Vaisakha.
When two new moons occur in the same solar month, an intercalary month is inserted. The solar month gives its name to both months, with nija added to the name of the first month, and akhika added to the name of the second. Unless specified otherwise, it is the lunar month, and not the solar month,"14 days after the full moon of Asvina" means 14 days after the full moon after the new moon after September 23.




Months of the Indian Civil Calendar and Correlation with Gregorian Calendar

Month Days Begins
1. Chaitra 30 / 31* March 22 / 21*
2. Vaisakha 31 April 21
3. Jyaistha 31 May 22
4. Asadha 31 June 22
5. Shravana 31 July 23
6. Bhadra 31 August 23
7. Asvina 30 September 23
8. Kartika 30 October 23
9. Agrahayana 30 November 22
10. Pausa 30 December 22
11. Magha 30 January 21
12. Phalguna 30 February 20

* Leap years


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Names of Fifteen Moon Days in the Hindu Calendar


Hindu Western
Prathamã First
Dvitïyã Second
Trtïyã Third
Chaturthï Fourth
Pañchamï Fifth
Sasthï Sixth
Saptamï Seventh
Astamï Eighth
Navamï Ninth
Dasamï Tenth
Ekãdasï Eleventh
Dvadasï Twelfth
Trayodasï Thirteenth
Chaturdasï Fourteenth
Panchadasï Fifteenth
Purnimã (Suklapaksha) Full Moon
Amãvãsyã (Krsnapaksa) New Moon


Days in the Hindu Calendar

Indian Calendar Western Calendar
Raviãra Sunday (day of Sun)
Somavãra Monday (day of Moon)
Mañgalvã Tuesday (day of Mars)
Budhavãra Wednesday (day of Mercury)
Guruvã Thursday (day of Jupiter)
Sukravãra Friday (day of Venus)
Sanivãra Saturday (day of Saturn)