Vikram Samvat 2079, the Hindu New Year, begins on April 2, 2022. Chaitra begins on Vikram Samvat. Chaitra Shukla Pratipada Tithi marks the Hindu New Year. March or April on the Gregorian calendar.
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English and Georgian calendars are the most widely used worldwide. Vikramaditya Vikram Samvat is Hindus’ most renowned calendar. In various states of India and Nepal, the ancient Hindu calendar is Vikram Samvat. It is known by a variety of names in various Indian states, including Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
What is Vikram Samvat?
Samvatsara, or simply “Samvat,” is the Sanskrit word for “year.” Vikramaditya of Ujjain founded the Vikram Samvat calendar in 57 BC, which is thought to have come after he triumphs over the Saka in 56 BC.
The southern (Purnimanta) and northern (Amanta) Hindu calendars began in 56 BCE. Both systems celebrate most holidays in Shukla Paksha. The era honors Indian King Vikramaditya.
Seasons, months, and days follow the sun and moon in the Indian Calendar. Vikram Samvat governs Hindu festivals. In North India, Vikram Samvat begins with Chaitra Shukla paksha. Gujarat celebrates the first day of Kartik, the Vikram Samvat calendar, on the second day of Diwali.
King Gardabhilla allegedly kidnapped Sarasvati, a nun. Kalakacharya’s sister. The powerless monk asked Sakasthana’s Saka ruler to defeat Gardabhilla. The Saka King defeated and enslaved him. Gardabhilla died in the forest after being released. Vikramaditya, his forest-raised son, conquered Ujjain and expelled the Sakas. To memorialize this occasion, he established Vikram Samvat.
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Vikram Samvat Vs. Saka Samvat: What's the Difference?
India uses Saka and Vikram Samvat calendars. India uses Shaka Samvat. Vikram Samvat began in 57 BC and this one in 78 BC. Moon calculations determine the time in both Samvat.
The lunar-solar Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar, according to the Saka Samvat calendar conversion. 2074 VS starts in 2017 CE and ends in 2018 CE. Saka Samvat begins in 78 AD, Vikram Samvat in 57 BC. Sakha calendars are used by the first two belts. For those who observe Holi on the first day of the month, the month ends on the day following the full moon (Poornima), not the new moon (Amavasya). Thus the 15-day interval between New Year.
Shaka and Vikram Samvat have the same months as Shukla and Krishna Pakshas. However, only the first of the month differs. In Vikram Samvat, the Krishna Paksha follows the full moon, while in Shaka Samvat, the Shukla Paksha follows the new moon.
Thus, these Samvat begin on different dates. In the Shaka Samvat, the first day of the month is called Pratipada (First Day), while in the Vikram Samvat, it falls on the sixteenth day of the month, known as Chaitra Shukla Paksha Pratipada.
12-Month Hindu Calendar
Each Hindu month has two 15-day halves: Kāi-Pak (dark half) and Śukla-Pak (bright half) (light half). Amavas is Krishna paksha’s fifteenth day, and Poornima is Shukla’s.
Amanta/Purnimanta systems: In the Indian subcontinent, Amanta and Purnimanta traditions end lunar months on no moon day and full moon day, respectively.
Chaitra: In the Gregorian calendar, it’s March-April. Holi, Ram Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated during spring. New Year’s Day in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh is called Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Vishu, or Ugadi.
Vaisakha: The Gregorian calendar’s Vaishakha month is April-May. This month marks Baisakhi, Vaisakha, and Buddha Purnima, harvest festivals. The full Moon is Purnima.
Jyeshta: It’s May-June on the Gregorian calendar. Maharashtra and Karnataka celebrate Vat Poornima. The Hindu Calendar’s Jyeshta full moon day is commemorated.
Asadha: June-July on the Gregorian calendar. This month, people commemorate Shayani Ekadashi and Guru Purnima.
Sravana: The most auspicious month in the Hindu calendar, it corresponds to July-August on the Gregorian calendar and is when the important Hindu holidays of Krishna Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Nag Panchami, and Shravani Mela Kanwar Yatra are observed.
Bhadrapada: According to the Gregorian calendar, this is August–September. This month, Anant Chaturdashi is observed.
Asvina: The Gregorian calendar is September-October. This is another significant Hindu month with Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, Kojagiri celebrations, and Kali Puja.
Kartika: According to the Gregorian calendar, this is October–November. Varanasi celebrates Dev Deepavali on Kartik Poornima.
Margashirsha: November-December on the Gregorian calendar. Mokādā Ekādaśī is commemorated this month.
Pausa: December-January on the Gregorian calendar. This month marks the Pongal/Makar Sankranti harvest celebration.
Magha: According to the Gregorian calendar, this is January–February. Vasant Panchami, also known as Sarasvati Puja, is the first day of spring and the start of the Harvest season.
Phalguna: February-March on the Gregorian calendar. In the majority of northern Indian regions, the famed Hindu holiday Holi is celebrated early, signaling the end of winter.
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