The 12 Hindu Calendar Months: Chaitra to Phalguna, Purnimanta vs Amanta, Vikram Samvat and Adhik Maas
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The names of the 12 Hindu months and how they map to English months, the purnimanta and amanta difference, Vikram and Shaka Samvat, and why Adhik Maas occurs.
The Hindu calendar has twelve months: Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, Kartik, Margashirsha, Pausha, Magha and Phalguna. These are lunar months, each based on one cycle of the Moon's phases. That is why Hindu months don't match English months exactly and why the English date of a festival changes each year.
**Key Takeaways** - Chaitra is the first month and Phalguna the last, and most months straddle two English months - North India follows the purnimanta panchang, while many parts of the south and west follow amanta - Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, an Adhik Maas is added roughly every three years - 2026 also had an Adhik Maas, so this year's festivals fall about three weeks later than last year's
The 12 Hindu Months and Their Main Festivals
| Month | Approx. English months | Some main festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Chaitra | March-April | Gudi Padwa, Ram Navami |
| Vaishakha | April-May | Akshaya Tritiya, Buddha Purnima |
| Jyeshtha | May-June | Vat Savitri, Nirjala Ekadashi |
| Ashadha | June-July | Jagannath Rath Yatra, Guru Purnima |
| Shravana | July-August | Raksha Bandhan, Nag Panchami |
| Bhadrapada | August-September | Hartalika Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi |
| Ashwin | September-October | Sharad Navratri, Dussehra |
| Kartik | October-November | Karva Chauth, Diwali, Chhath, Dev Uthani Ekadashi |
| Margashirsha | November-December | Vivah Panchami, Gita Jayanti |
| Pausha | December-January | Vrats and bathing of Pausha |
| Magha | January-February | Vasant Panchami, Mauni Amavasya |
| Phalguna | February-March | Maha Shivratri, Holi |
Purnimanta vs Amanta
There are two systems for where a month is counted to begin:
- Purnimanta: the month ends on Purnima and is counted to begin with Krishna Paksha. This is used in North India.
- Amanta: the month ends on Amavasya. It is used in regions such as Maharashtra, parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
In both systems the Shukla Paksha month name is the same; only the Krishna Paksha name differs. That is why the month of some festivals is given differently in north and south India, though the festival's English date is the same.
Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat
Two main eras run in India. Vikram Samvat is counted from 57 BCE, so in 2026 CE the Vikram Samvat year is 2083. Shaka Samvat begins in 78 CE, and 2026 is Shaka 1948. In North India the new year begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padwa), while in Gujarat it begins on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, after Diwali.
Why Does Adhik Maas Occur?
A lunar year is about 354 days, while a solar year is about 365. To balance the gap, an extra lunar month, called Adhik Maas (Malmas or Purushottam Maas), is added roughly every 32 to 33 months. Without it, festivals would drift away from their seasons. In a year with an Adhik Maas, festivals fall several weeks later than in the previous year.
Read the Month and Tithi Together
To fix a festival's date, the month, paksha and tithi are all checked. For tithi read How to Read Today's Tithi, and for every tithi see the list of tithis. Panchang basics are in What Is Panchang.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 months of the Hindu calendar?
Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, Kartik, Margashirsha, Pausha, Magha and Phalguna. Chaitra is the first month and Phalguna the last.
What is the difference between purnimanta and amanta?
In purnimanta the month ends on Purnima (used in North India), while in amanta it ends on Amavasya (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and others). The Shukla Paksha month name is the same in both.
Why does Adhik Maas occur?
A lunar year is about 354 days and a solar year about 365. To balance the difference an extra lunar month is added roughly every 32 to 33 months.
Which Vikram Samvat is running in 2026?
In 2026 CE it is Vikram Samvat 2083 and Shaka Samvat 1948.