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