Explaining Panchang (Hindu Calender)
The Hindu calendar, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and religious traditions, plays a significant role in determining auspicious dates for festivals, rituals, and daily activities. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Hindu calendar follows a lunisolar system where the day begins with the local sunrise and ends at the next day’s sunrise. Due to variations in sunrise timings across different geographical locations, Hindu calendars are specific to each region. This is why it is essential to use a location-based Hindu calendar for accuracy.
Structure of the Hindu Calendar
A distinctive feature of the Hindu calendar is its division into five essential components known as Panchang (Sanskrit: Pancha meaning ‘five’ and Ang meaning ‘parts’). These elements are fundamental in determining favorable and unfavorable time periods for religious observances and activities. The five components are:
- Tithi (Lunar Day): The lunar day or Tithi is a key aspect of the Hindu calendar. A month consists of 30 Tithis, which are divided into two phases:
- Shukla Paksha (waxing moon)
- Krishna Paksha (waning moon) Each Tithi lasts for a specific duration and influences rituals, fasts, and festivals.
- Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion): The celestial sphere is divided into 27 Nakshatras or constellations. The moon travels through each Nakshatra in approximately a day. Each Nakshatra has a ruling deity and governs various aspects of life, including personality traits, compatibility, and auspicious events.
- Yoga (Luni-Solar Day): Yoga is calculated based on the angular relationship between the sun and the moon. There are 27 different Yogas, each with distinct characteristics that influence day-to-day activities and auspicious timings.
- Karana (Half Tithi): A Karana represents half of a Tithi, meaning two Karanas are found in each Tithi. There are 11 types of Karanas, with 7 occurring repeatedly and 4 considered fixed. Karanas play a role in determining the success of an activity.
- Var (Weekday Name): The Hindu week consists of seven days, each governed by a planetary deity:
- Sunday (Ravivara) – Sun (Surya)
- Monday (Somavara) – Moon (Chandra)
- Tuesday (Mangalavara) – Mars (Mangal)
- Wednesday (Budhvara) – Mercury (Budha)
- Thursday (Guruvara) – Jupiter (Guru)
- Friday (Shukravara) – Venus (Shukra)
- Saturday (Shanivara) – Saturn (Shani)
A Hindu calendar that includes all five components mentioned above is known as Panchang. This comprehensive system provides precise details about celestial movements and their impact on human life. Traditionally, Panchangs are prepared by experienced astrologers using complex astronomical calculations. The Panchang is essential for selecting auspicious timings (Muhurta), avoiding inauspicious periods (Rahu Kaal), and determining the dates of Hindu festivals and religious observances.
Variations in Hindu Calendars
India follows multiple versions of the Hindu calendar, primarily classified into two major systems:
- Lunisolar Calendar (Amanta & Purnimanta Systems):
- In the Amanta system, the lunar month ends with the new moon (Amavasya), followed in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- The Purnimanta system follows a month ending on a full moon (Purnima), widely used in North India.
- Solar Calendar:
- Used in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, this system follows the movement of the sun rather than the moon, with months based on solar transitions.
Panchangam in South India
In South India, Panchang is referred to as Panchangam. Despite regional variations, the core elements remain the same. South Indian Panchangams often emphasize solar-based calculations, particularly in Tamil and Malayalam calendars. It plays a vital role in religious ceremonies, astrology, and temple festivals.
Importance of Panchang in Daily Life
The Panchang serves as a guide for Hindus in various aspects of life, including:
- Determining auspicious dates for weddings, housewarming ceremonies, and religious festivals.
- Fixing Muhurta (favorable time) for important activities like business deals and travel.
- Avoiding inauspicious time slots such as Rahu Kaal and Yamaganda Kaal.
- Planning spiritual observances, fasts (Vrat), and charitable activities.
The Lunar Months in the Hindu Calendar
The Hindu calendar follows a lunisolar system where months are based on the cycles of the moon. There are twelve lunar months in a year, each beginning either from the new moon (Amanta system) or the full moon (Purnimanta system). These months are significant for religious observances and festivals:
- Chaitra
- Vaishakha
- Jyeshtha
- Ashadha
- Shravana
- Bhadrapada
- Ashwina
- Kartika
- Margashirsha
- Pausha
- Magha
- Phalguna
Each of these months holds cultural and spiritual significance, often marked by major Hindu festivals like Navaratri, Diwali, Makar Sankranti, and Holi.
The 27 Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions)
Nakshatras are lunar constellations through which the moon travels over a lunar month. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20’ of the zodiac and is associated with specific characteristics, deities, and astrological influences:
- Ashwini
- Bharani
- Krittika
- Rohini
- Mrigashira
- Ardra
- Punarvasu
- Pushya
- Ashlesha
- Magha
- Purva Phalguni
- Uttara Phalguni
- Hasta
- Chitra
- Swati
- Vishakha
- Anuradha
- Jyeshtha
- Mula
- Purva Ashadha
- Uttara Ashadha
- Shravana
- Dhanishtha
- Shatabhisha
- Purva Bhadrapada
- Uttara Bhadrapada
- Revati
The 27 Yogas in the Hindu Calendar
Yogas are formed based on the combined longitudes of the sun and the moon. Each Yoga influences a person’s nature and life events:
- Vishkambha
- Priti
- Ayushmana
- Saubhagya
- Shobhana
- Atiganda
- Sukarma
- Dhriti
- Shula
- Ganda
- Vriddhi
- Dhruva
- Vyaghata
- Harshana
- Vajra
- Siddhi
- Vyatipata
- Variyana
- Parigha
- Shiva
- Siddha
- Sadhya
- Shubha
- Shukla
- Brahma
- Indra
- Vaidhriti
The 11 Karanas
A Karana represents half of a Tithi, meaning two Karanas occur in each Tithi. There are 11 types of Karanas, of which 7 are movable and 4 are fixed:
- Kinstughna
- Bava
- Balava
- Kaulava
- Taitila
- Garaja
- Vanija
- Vishti (Inauspicious Karana)
- Shakuni
- Chatushpada
- Nagava
The 30 Tithis in a Lunar Month
Tithis are lunar days and form the basis of the Hindu calendar. Each month is divided into two phases – the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and the Krishna Paksha (waning moon). There are 30 Tithis:
- Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase): Pratipada to Purnima
- Krishna Paksha (Waning Phase): Pratipada to Amavasya
- Shukla Pratipada / Krishna Pratipada
- Shukla Dwitiya / Krishna Dwitiya
- Shukla Tritiya / Krishna Tritiya
- Shukla Chaturthi / Krishna Chaturthi
- Shukla Panchami / Krishna Panchami
- Shukla Shashthi / Krishna Shashthi
- Shukla Saptami / Krishna Saptami
- Shukla Ashtami / Krishna Ashtami
- Shukla Navami / Krishna Navami
- Shukla Dashami / Krishna Dashami
- Shukla Ekadashi / Krishna Ekadashi
- Shukla Dwadashi / Krishna Dwadashi
- Shukla Trayodashi / Krishna Trayodashi
- Shukla Chaturdashi / Krishna Chaturdashi
- Shukla Purnima / Krishna Amavasya
The 12 Rashis (Zodiac Signs)
The Hindu calendar also considers zodiac signs (Rashis), which influence astrology and predictions:
- Mesha (Aries)
- Vrishabha (Taurus)
- Mithuna (Gemini)
- Karka (Cancer)
- Simha (Leo)
- Kanya (Virgo)
- Tula (Libra)
- Vrishchika (Scorpio)
- Dhanu (Sagittarius)
- Makara (Capricorn)
- Kumbha (Aquarius)
- Meena (Pisces)
What is Samvatsara in the Hindu Calendar?
In the Hindu calendar system, a Samvatsara is a cyclic year with a span of approximately 365 days, similar to the solar year in the Gregorian calendar. However, unlike the Gregorian system, the Hindu calendar follows a 60-year cycle, with each year having a unique name and significance. This system is deeply embedded in Vedic astrology and plays a vital role in determining auspicious times for rituals, festivals, and personal events.
The concept of Samvatsara originates from ancient astronomical calculations and is based on the movement of Jupiter (Brihaspati) through the zodiac signs. Every 12 years, Jupiter completes one full cycle of the zodiac, and five such cycles make up the 60-year Samvatsara cycle.
Each year within this cycle is assigned a distinct name, which repeats after 60 years. The naming of Samvatsaras is found in the Vedic texts and is an essential aspect of Hindu timekeeping.
List of 60 Samvatsara Names
- Prabhava
- Vibhava
- Shukla
- Pramoda
- Prajapati
- Angira
- Shrimukha
- Bhava
- Yuva
- Dhata
- Ishwara
- Bahudhanya
- Pramathi
- Vikrama
- Vrisha
- Chitrabhanu
- Subhanu
- Tarana
- Parthiva
- Vyaya
- Sarvajit
- Sarvadhari
- Virodhi
- Vikriti
- Khara
- Nandana
- Vijaya
- Jaya
- Manmatha
- Durmukha
- Hemalambi
- Vilambi
- Vikari
- Sharvari
- Plava
- Shubhakrit
- Shobhakrit
- Krodhi
- Vishvavasu
- Parabhava
- Plavanga
- Kilaka
- Saumya
- Sadharana
- Virodhakrit
- Paridhavi
- Pramadi
- Aananda
- Rakshasa
- Nala
- Pingala
- Kalayukta
- Siddharthi
- Raudra
- Durmati
- Dundubhi
- Rudhirodgari
- Raktaksha
- Krodhana
- Kshaya
Significance of Samvatsara in Hindu Culture
Each Samvatsara is believed to influence human affairs, planetary movements, and natural occurrences. Hindu astrologers use these names to predict trends, and some years are considered more auspicious than others. The start of a new Samvatsara is marked by festivals like Ugadi in South India and Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra.
Conclusion
The Hindu calendar, with its intricate calculations and deep connection to celestial movements, continues to be an integral part of Indian culture. The Panchang provides valuable insights into time and its influence on human life, guiding millions in their religious and everyday activities. Understanding its components allows individuals to align their actions with cosmic rhythms, ensuring harmony, prosperity, and spiritual growth.