THE HINDU CALENDAR

THE HINDU CALENDAR: "The Hindu Calender

The ancient Hindu seers have had a comprehensive study of time. The minute details covered by those fantastic minds in reckoning time is bewildering. The Hindu calender is based on the age of Bramha, the Creator. The life span of Creator Lord Bramha is 100 years. His age now is 51 years. Each day of Lord Bramha is designated by a Kalpa. Each Kalpa comprise of 14 Manus and each Manu consist of 71 Mahayuga. 1000 such Mahayugs completes Lord Bramha's 1 day. At present, we are in the 28th Mahayug.

One Mahayuga comprises of :

1. Krutayug = (432,000 X 4) years

2. Tretayug = (432,000 X 3) years

3. Dwaparyug = (432,000 X 2) years

4. Kaliyug = (432,000 X 1) years

We are passing the Kaliyug today, which started in the year 3102 B.C.

The Yugas are further sub-divided into 60 year cycles. The current cycle began on March 30, 1987 and will end in April 2047. Each year (called the Samvatsar, Shaka or Samvat), normally consists of the 12 months except when there is a Adhik Maas (Additional Month).

The religious ritualistic activities are mainly based on the Lunar Calender.

However, some regions of Bharat follow the Solar Calender.

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-Sep"

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