Chapter 3 Appendix (1):
Hindu Calendar/Saka Calendar
The Hindu Calendar, a solar calendar also called Vikram Calendar (Vikram Samvat), is said to have been created by a legendary king Vikramaditya in ancient India and the 1st year corresponds to 58–57 BC. A year begins on the vernal equinox. Each month is divided into the bright half and dark half, and the date of the latter also starts with 1 (one). The intercalary day is placed at the end of the year.
The Saka Calendar, which was widely of use in Java and surrounding areas, originated from the year of arrival of Aji Saka and his party from India to Java (or the death of Aji Saka) in 78 AD.
The relationship between the Hindu month and the Gregorian month is as follows.
Hindu month |
Period of Gregorian calender |
|
1. Caitra |
22 March |
20 April |
2. Vaisakha |
21 April |
21 May |
3. Jyaistha |
22 May |
21 June |
4. Asadha |
22 June |
22 July |
5. Sravana |
23 July |
22 August |
6. Bhadra |
23 August |
22 September |
7. Asvina |
23 September |
22 October |
8. Kartika |
23 October |
21 November |
9. Agrahayama |
22 November |
21 December |
10. Pausa |
22 December |
20 January |
11. Magha |
21 January |
19 February |
12. Phalguna |
20 February |
21 March |