Hindu months follow the Moon. A month is the time from one new moon to the next, about 29.5 days. The months are named after the nakshatra in which the full moon falls (for example Chitra gives Chaitra), and there are twelve.
The 12 months
| # | Month | Season (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaitra | March–April, spring |
| 2 | Vaishakha | April–May |
| 3 | Jyeshtha | May–June, summer |
| 4 | Ashadha | June–July, monsoon begins |
| 5 | Shravana | July–August, monsoon |
| 6 | Bhadrapada | August–September |
| 7 | Ashwin | September–October, autumn |
| 8 | Kartik | October–November |
| 9 | Margashirsha | November–December, early winter |
| 10 | Pausha | December–January, winter |
| 11 | Magha | January–February |
| 12 | Phalguna | February–March, spring begins |
Amanta and Purnimanta
The two systems differ only on when the month ends. In the Amanta system, the month ends on Amavasya (new moon). This is used in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat (since Kartik) and most of South India. In the Purnimanta system, the month ends on Purnima (full moon). This is used in North India: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi.
So the bright half (Shukla paksha) has the same month name in both, but the dark half (Krishna paksha) is named a month ahead in Purnimanta. For example, the Krishna paksha that North India calls Ashwin is called Bhadrapada in Maharashtra. Diwali falls in Ashwin in the Purnimanta system and in Kartik in Amanta, but it is the same day. This is why we show both names.
Adhika Maas (the extra month)
A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year. To keep festivals in their right seasons, an extra month is added about every 32 to 33 months, which is the Adhika Maas, also called Purushottam Maas or Mal Maas. It is the lunar month in which no sankranti (Sun's entry into a new rashi) takes place. It is dedicated to Vishnu, and big events like weddings are avoided in it. In a year with an Adhika Maas there are 26 Ekadashis, with Padmini and Parama.
Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat
- Vikram Samvat is 56 or 57 years ahead of the Gregorian year. It starts on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in most of North India (Kartik Shukla Pratipada in Gujarat).
- Shaka Samvat is 78 years behind the Gregorian year. It is the national calendar of India and begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.
- Chaitra Shukla Pratipada is celebrated as Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and the start of Chaitra Navratri.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Amanta and Purnimanta?
Amanta months end on the new moon, Purnimanta months end on the full moon. They agree for the bright half and differ by one month name for the dark half.
What is Adhika Maas?
An extra lunar month added about every 32 to 33 months to align the lunar and solar years.
Which Hindu month is it now?
Check today's panchang on our home page, which shows the month in both Amanta and Purnimanta.