Calendars in India
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Calendars in India
Introduction
- A calendar is a system for organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes.
- It typically includes periods such as days, weeks, months, and years.
- A date designates a single, specific day within such a system.
- A calendar can also refer to a physical record (often paper) of such a system.
In India, various systems have been used at different times to mark the beginning of a new year. These systems belong to one of the following three types:
- Solar System
- Lunar System
- Luni-Solar System
These systems are based on astronomical years, following the movement of celestial bodies:
- Solar Year
- Represents the time taken by the Earth to revolve around the Sun, passing through a point of the ecliptic (solstice or equinox).
- Consists of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds.
- Maintains a close correspondence between the year and the seasons.
- Has 12 months in total.
- Lunar Year
- Consists of 12 months or lunations.
- Each lunation is a synodic month measured by the period between two successive full moons or new moons.
- Since a lunar month varies from 29.26 to 29.80 days, the lunar year is 354 days, 11 days shorter than the solar year.
- This difference is adjusted by intercalation or suppression, adding an intercalary month (Adhik Masa) every 2 years and 6 months.
- Luni-Solar Year
- The year is calculated by the solar cycle and the months by the lunar divisions, as in Hindu calendars.
- Adjustments between the solar and lunar cycles are made by intercalation and suppression of days and months.
Various months within these systems:
- Solar Month
- The solar year has 12 months named after the twelve zodiac signs (Rashis or mansions):
- Mesha (Aries)
- Vrishabham (Taurus)
- Mithuna, the pairs (Gemini)
- Karka, the crab (Cancer)
- Simha, the lion (Leo)
- Kanya, the maiden (Virgo)
- Tula, the scales (Libra)
- Vrischika, the scorpion (Scorpio)
- Dhanus, the bow (Sagittarius)
- Makara, the sea monster (Capricorn)
- Kumbha, the water pot (Aquarius)
- Mina, the fish (Pisces)
- The solar year has 12 months named after the twelve zodiac signs (Rashis or mansions):