The Hindu month is divided into two fortnights or Pakshas, and 30 lunar
days (tithiyan). The first fortnight is the Shukla Paksha or the bright
fortnight begins with the new moon. The dark fortnight or the Krishna
Paksha begins and ends with the full moon.
The 12 lunar months make only 354 solar days so there is an adhik
mas or extra month after every 30 lunar months. This leap month is generally
either Ashadha or Shravan, and is known as second Ashadha or Shravan.
The Hindu New Year begins with Chaitra (March-April). The 12 months
of the Hindu Calendar are as under:
| 1. Chaitra |
: |
March-April |
| 2. Vaisakh |
: |
April-May |
| 3. Jyaishtha |
: |
May-June |
| 4. Ashadh |
: |
June-July |
| 5. Shravan |
: |
July-August |
| 6. Bhadrapada |
: |
August-September |
| 7. Ashvina |
: |
September-October |
| 8. Kartik |
: |
October-November |
| 9. Margshirsha |
: |
November-December |
| 10. Paush |
: |
December-January |
| 11. Magha |
: |
January-February |
| 12. Phalgun |
: |
February-March. |
The 15 days of both the bright and dark fortnights of each month are
called:
| Pratipada |
: |
the first day of a lunar fortnight
|
| Dvitiya |
: |
the second day of a lunar fortnight |
| Tritiya |
: |
the third day of a lunar fortnight |
| Chaturthi |
: |
the fourth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Panchami |
: |
the fifth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Shashthi |
: |
the sixth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Saptami |
|
the seventh day of a lunar fortnight
|
| Asthami |
: |
the eighth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Navami |
: |
the tenth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Ekadashi |
: |
the eleventh day of a lunar fortnight |
| Dvadashi |
|
the twelfth day of a lunar fortnight
|
| Triyodashi |
|
the thirteenth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Chaturdashi |
|
the fourteenth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Purnima |
: |
the fifteenth day of a lunar fortnight |
| Amavasya |
|
the sixteenth day of a lunar fortnight
|
According to the Hindu almanac, there are six Ritus or Seasons. A group
of two months mark a Season. The six seasons are:
| 1. Vasant or Spring |
: |
March-May |
| 2. Greeshm or Summer |
: |
May-July |
| 3. Varsha or Rainy |
: |
July-September |
| 4. Sharad or Autumn |
: |
September-November |
| 5. Hemant or Winter |
: |
November-January |
| 6. Shishir or Cool Season |
: |
January-March |
