Most holidays in India are based on the first two calendars. A few are based on the solar cycle, Sankranti (solar sidereal) and Baisakhi (solar tropical).
Months and approximate correspndence
Indian months are listed below. Shaka and Chaitradi Vikram (UP, Rajasthan etc.) start with Chaitra, Kartikadi Vikram (Gujarat, Maharashtra) start in Kartika.
Nakshatras are divisions of ecliptic, each 13° 20', starting from 0° Aries. The purnima of each month is synchronized with a nakshatra.
Time cycles in India
The time cycles in India are:
60-year cycle
Year
6 seasons of a year
about 60 days (2 months) in a season
Month (lunar)
2 pakshas in a month, shukla (waxing) and krishna (waning)
15 tithis in a paksha (1-14, 15th is purnima or amavasya)
60 ghatikas (or 30 muhurtas or 8 praharas) in a 24-hour period (ahoratra).
30 Kala(approx) in 1 muhurta
30 Kastha in 1 kala
15 Nimisha in 1 kastha
Years are synchronized with the solar sidereal year by adding a month every four years. The extra month is termed as "adhik-mass" (extra month).This extra month is called mala... Read More