The Hindu calendar is of two types: the solar calendar or the saura māna the lunisolar calendar or the chāndra māna Both are described in this article. Hindu calendar - Basic structure. The structure of the Hindu calendar is of course composed of days making months making years. The system of describing days is the same in both the solar and lunisolar calendars. The system of describing months and hence years is what distinguishes the solar and lunisolar ...

Including:

• Hindu calendar - Basic structure
• Hindu calendar - Day
• Hindu calendar - Tithi
• Hindu calendar - Vaasara
• Hindu calendar - Nakshatra
• Hindu calendar - Yoga
• Hindu calendar - Karana
• Hindu calendar - Month and year of the solar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Months of the lunisolar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Naming lunar months
• Hindu calendar - Religious observances in case of extra and lost months
• Hindu calendar - Year of the lunisolar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Another kind of lunisolar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Correspondence of the lunisolar calendar to the solar calendar
• Hindu calendar - Year numbering
• Hindu calendar - Year names
• Hindu calendar - Eras
• Hindu calendar - History

Read more here: » Hindu calendar: Encyclopedia - Hindu calendar

Now that the days are defined, we shall speak of how the solar calendar reckons its months and year. As has been previously noted, the sun is observed to travel along the ecliptic. The ecliptic is now divided into twelve parts called rāshi-s, starting from the point of Meshādi defined above and moving eastwards. They are: Mesha Vrishabha Mithuna Kataka Simha Kanyā Tulā Vrishchika Dhanus Makara Kumbha Mīna ...

See also:

Hindu calendar, Hindu calendar - Basic structure, Hindu calendar - Day, Hindu calendar - Tithi, Hindu calendar - Vaasara, Hindu calendar - Nakshatra, Hindu calendar - Yoga, Hindu calendar - Karana, Hindu calendar - Month and year of the solar calendar, Hindu calendar - Months of the lunisolar calendar, Hindu calendar - Naming lunar months, Hindu calendar - Religious observances in case of extra and lost months, Hindu calendar - Year of the lunisolar calendar, Hindu calendar - Another kind of lunisolar calendar, Hindu calendar - Correspondence of the lunisolar calendar to the solar calendar, Hindu calendar - Year numbering, Hindu calendar - Year names, Hindu calendar - Eras, Hindu calendar - History

Read more here: » Hindu calendar: Encyclopedia II - Hindu calendar - Month and year of the solar calendar

Holi is an abundant celebration of joy, goodness and the season of spring. The day of Holi on Phalgun Purnima (full moon day) is observed as the birthday of Manu, the start of Sambat (first day in the Hindu calendar). Spiritually, it signifies light prevailing over darkness, fear and ignorance.

Holi is associated with mal utsav (smearing of colours) and the Holika bonfire in which dry sticks and cow dung are put to fire and corn seeds burnt to the point of losing their power to germinate. The fire represents the burning away of what is old and worn out. The festivities of Holi have a central message - let bygones be bygones, bury old hatchets and start anew in the spirit of spring.

(See also: Holi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The practice of Christian meditation dates back to the beginning of Christianity; its objective is to daily 'empty the self' to experience the fullness of God. It is consonant with Jesus's invitation to his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow him. It is central to Easter celebrations, 'dying' to rise to a New Life.

The way of meditation is the way of silence. Silencing the ceaseless chatter of a mind buzzing with thoughts is not easy. The way to silence is the way of the mantra. Choosing a sacred word and repeating it from the beginning to the end of the period of meditation forms part of the essential teaching of Christian meditation. It is advisable to choose a word of four syllables and pronounce them with equal length. The recommended word in the Christian Tradition is Ma-ra-na-tha. In Aramaic, the language of Jesus's time, it means 'The Lord comes'.

(See also: Christian Meditation, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

A lunar calendar is a calendar whose date indicates the moon phase. This is normally done by having a month which corresponds to a lunation so that the day of month indicates the moon phase. If a calendar tracks the seasons, it is also a lunisolar calendar. Lunar calendar - Examples. Most lunar calendars are also lunisolar, such as the Hebrew, Chinese and Hindu calendar, and most calendar systems used in antiquity. The reason for this is that a year is not evenly divisible by an exact number of lunat ...

Including:

• Lunar calendar - Examples
• Lunar calendar - Determining the start of the month

Read more here: » Lunar calendar: Encyclopedia - Lunar calendar

The month is a unit of time, used with calendars, which is approximately as long as some natural period related to the motion of the Moon. The traditional concept arose with the cycle of moon phases; such months (lunations) are synodic months and last ~29.53 days. From excavated tally sticks, researchers have deduced that people counted days in relation to the Moon's phases as early as the Paleolithic age. Synodic months are still the basis of many calendars. Month - Astronomical background. The moti ...

Including:

• Month - Astronomical background
• Month - Sidereal month
• Month - Tropical month
• Month - Anomalistic month
• Month - Draconic month
• Month - Synodic month
• Month - Month lengths
• Month - Calendrical consequences
• Month - Months in various calendars
• Month - Julian and Gregorian calendars
• Month - French Republican calendar
• Month - Islamic calendar
• Month - Hebrew Calendar
• Month - Hindu Calendar
• Month - Iranian/Persian calendar
• Month - Icelandic/Old Norse calendar
• Month - Notes

Read more here: » Month: Encyclopedia - Month

Chhath or Dala Chhath is a Hindu festival, which is unique to Bihar state, India and Terai of Nepal. This festival is also celebrated in the north-east parts of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and some regions of Chhattisgarh. Chhath - Etymology. The word “chhath” denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of “kartik”, which corresponds to months of October-November in the Gregorian calendar. The festival of Chhath< ...

Including:

• Chhath - Etymology
• Chhath - The festival

Read more here: » Chhath: Encyclopedia - Chhath

The day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar is traditionally celebrated as Guru Purnima by Hindus. On this day, devotees offer puja (worship) to their Guru. This was the day when Krishna-dwaipayana Vyasa was born. He is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The spiritual Gurus are revered on this day by remembering their life and teachings. Guru Purnima - External link. Article on Guru Purnima with Pictures On Guru Purnima by ...

Including:

• Guru Purnima - External link

Read more here: » Guru Purnima: Encyclopedia - Guru Purnima

Vaikunta Ekadasi, the Ekadasi of Vaikunta (the abode of the Vishnu) falls on the 11th day of the Sukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) of the Dhanur (Margazhi in Tamil terminology) month - the ninth of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Hindus consider it a very auspicious day and observe it as a day of prayer and fasting. According to legend, the gods and demons churned the divine ocean for Amrita on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, following which Shiva consumed the poison that resulted. Hence Shaivaites consider this Ekadasi as the Nanjunda Ekadasi. It is beli ...

Read more here: » Vaikunta Ekadasi: Encyclopedia - Vaikunta Ekadasi

Holi or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is an annual Hindu spring festival. It takes place over two days around late March or early April on a Purnima (or Pooranmashi) Full Moon as per the Hindu calendar. It is also called the festival of color. On the first day, a bonfire is lit at night to signify the burning of Holika. On the second day, known as Dhulandi, people go around until afternoon throwing colors at each other and meet and have fun. A special drink called 'thandai' or bhang (Cannabis sativa) is also consumed sometim ...

Including:

• Holi - Mythology
• Holi - External link

Read more here: » Holi: Encyclopedia - Holi

Krishna Janmaashtami, also known as "Krishnaashtami", "Gokulaashtami", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmaashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. Krishna Janmaashtami - Date. Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu ca ...

Including:

• Krishna Janmaashtami - Date
• Krishna Janmaashtami - Rituals

Read more here: » Krishna Janmaashtami: Encyclopedia - Krishna Janmaashtami

Dussehra (also transliterated as Dasara) or Vijaya Dasami is an important Hindu festival. It is celebrated by Indians every year in the Hindu Vikrami Calendar month of Ashwin (September / October). Dussehra - The Legend. This day marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. On this day, Rama killed Ravana. Rama was asked to go on exile because his stepmother, Queen Kaikeyee was tricked into asking King Dasaratha to exile him for 14 years. Rama's wif ...

Including:

• Dussehra - The Legend
• Dussehra - Celebrations
• Dussehra - Different Celebrations in Different Parts of South Asia

Read more here: » Dussehra: Encyclopedia - Dussehra

Maha Shivratri or Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) is an Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month Phalguna in the Hindu Calendar. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of Bheel leaves to the Lord Shiva, fasting and all night long vigil. Maha Shivaratri - Legends. There are many mythological stories associated with Shivaratri and its origins. Maha Shivaratri - Samudra manthan. During the samudra manthan by ...

Including:

• Maha Shivaratri - Legends
• Maha Shivaratri - Samudra manthan
• Maha Shivaratri - Assurance
• Maha Shivaratri - The Hunter

Read more here: » Maha Shivaratri: Encyclopedia - Maha Shivaratri

Ekadasi is the eleventh lunar day (Tithi) of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) respectively, of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar (Panchang). In Hinduism and Jainism, it is considered spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend to observe an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on the day prior to ekadasi until 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following ekadasi. Ekadasi - Meaning of Ekadasi. Ekadasi is a Sanskrit word, which means 'the eleventh'. It refers to the ...

Including:

• Ekadasi - Meaning of Ekadasi
• Ekadasi - Astronomy and astrology
• Ekadasi - The Sun
• Ekadasi - The Moon
• Ekadasi - Mind
• Ekadasi - Body

Read more here: » Ekadasi: Encyclopedia - Ekadasi

Ganesh Chaturthi is the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. The festival celebrating Lord Ganesha's birth is called Ganeshotsav and is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). While held all over India, it is at its most elaborate in Maharashtra, and other areas which were former states of the Maratha Empire. This typically comes sometime between 20th of August and 15th of September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending o ...

Including:

• Ganesh Chaturthi - Rituals
• Ganesh Chaturthi - Legend
• Ganesh Chaturthi - History
• Ganesh Chaturthi - Rooted in Tradition
• Ganesh Chaturthi - Problems

Read more here: » Ganesh Chaturthi: Encyclopedia - Ganesh Chaturthi

According to Hindu mythology, the universe is cyclically created and destroyed. The life span of Brahma, the creator, is 120 divine years (Mahakalpamu). Everyday Brahma creates 14 Manus one after the other, who in turn create and regulate the world. Thus, there are fourteen generations of Manu in one day (Kalpamu) of Brahma. Each Manu’s life (Manvantaramu) consists of 71 quartets of eras. Each quartet is composed of four eras: Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. The span of Krita era is 1,728,000 human years, Treta era is 1,296,000 human years ...

Including:

• Vedic Timeline - The four Yugas Ages of Hinduism
• Vedic Timeline - Six Shaka-karte kings of Kaliyuga
• Vedic Timeline - Some calendars in use in India

Read more here: » Vedic Timeline: Encyclopedia - Vedic Timeline

The Julian calendar adds an extra day to February in years divisible by 4. This rule gives an average year length of 365.25 days. The excess of about 0.0076 days with respect to the vernal equinox year means that the vernal equinox moves a day earlier in the calendar every 130 years or so. ...

See also:

Leap year, Leap year - Gregorian calendar, Leap year - Which day is the leap day?, Leap year - Julian calendar, Leap year - Revised Julian Calendar, Leap year - Chinese calendar, Leap year - Hebrew calendar, Leap year - Hindu Calendar, Leap year - Iranian calendar, Leap year - Long term leap year rules, Leap year - Marriage proposal, Leap year - Saint Patrick and the leap year, Leap year - Birthdays

Read more here: » Leap year: Encyclopedia II - Leap year - Julian calendar

The Revised Julian calendar adds an extra day to February in years divisible by 4, except for years divisible by 100 that do not leave a remainder of 200 or 600 when divided by 900. This rule agrees with the rule for the Gregorian calendar until 2799. The first year that dates in the Revised Julian calendar will not agree with the those in the Gregorian calendar will be 2800, because it will be a leap year in the Grego ...

See also:

Leap year, Leap year - Gregorian calendar, Leap year - Which day is the leap day?, Leap year - Julian calendar, Leap year - Revised Julian Calendar, Leap year - Chinese calendar, Leap year - Hebrew calendar, Leap year - Hindu Calendar, Leap year - Iranian calendar, Leap year - Long term leap year rules, Leap year - Marriage proposal, Leap year - Saint Patrick and the leap year, Leap year - Birthdays

Read more here: » Leap year: Encyclopedia II - Leap year - Revised Julian Calendar

The accumulated difference between the Gregorian calendar and the vernal equinoctial year amounts to 1 day in about 8,000 years. This suggests that the calendar needs to be improved by another refinement to the leap year rule: perhaps by avoiding leap years in years divisible by 8,000. (The most common such proposal is to avoid leap years in years divisible by 4,000 [1]. This is based on the difference between the Gregorian calendar and the mean tropical year. Others claim, erroneously, that the Gregorian calendar ...

See also:

Leap year, Leap year - Gregorian calendar, Leap year - Which day is the leap day?, Leap year - Julian calendar, Leap year - Revised Julian Calendar, Leap year - Chinese calendar, Leap year - Hebrew calendar, Leap year - Hindu Calendar, Leap year - Iranian calendar, Leap year - Long term leap year rules, Leap year - Marriage proposal, Leap year - Saint Patrick and the leap year, Leap year - Birthdays

Read more here: » Leap year: Encyclopedia II - Leap year - Long term leap year rules