If you’ve ever wondered why Diwali falls in October one year and November the next, the answer lies in the Hindu calendar. It’s not just a list of dates – it’s a living system that blends the moon’s cycles with the sun’s path, helping millions plan rituals, festivals, and even daily activities.
The calendar is a lunisolar hybrid. Each month begins with a new moon (Amavasya) and ends with the next new moon, giving us roughly 29.5 days per month. To keep the months aligned with the solar year, an extra month, called Adhik Maas, is added about every 2.5 years. This keeps the seasons and festivals in sync – you won’t celebrate a harvest festival in the middle of summer.
Days are also divided into tithis, which are lunar days. There are 30 tithis in a month, split into two halves: the bright half (Shukla Paksha) after the new moon and the dark half (Krishna Paksha) after the full moon. Each tithi has a specific name, like Pratipada (the first day) or Chaturdashi (the 14th day), and many rituals depend on which tithi it is.
Most people use a Panchang – a daily almanac – to find out the tithi, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and the planetary positions (Nakashatra). Modern apps now deliver this data in real time, but the traditional printed Panchang still circulates in temples and households.
Here’s how you can make the Panchang work for you:
Because the Hindu calendar varies regionally – North India often follows the Vikram Samvat while South India uses the Saka era – always double‑check the local version before locking in a date.
Finally, remember that the calendar isn’t a rigid rulebook. It’s a guide that respects natural rhythms. When you sync your plans with the moon and sun, you’ll notice a smoother flow in everyday life, especially during festival seasons.
Dussehra 2025 lands on Oct 2, Thursday, with key muhurats, Shravan Nakshatra, and nationwide celebrations honoring Rama and Durga's triumph over evil.
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