Hindu Lunar Calender
Paksha & Tithis
A fortnight in a month of the Hindu lunar calendar is called a Paksha. The Word Paksha literally means "side", A lunar month in the Hindu calendar has two fortnights, and begins with the New moon, (Amavasya). The lunar days are called tithis and each month has 30 tithis, which may vary from 20 – 27 hours. The first fortnight between New Moon Day and Full Moon Day is called Shukla Paksha or as the period of the brightening moon, and the second fortnight of the month is called Krishna Paksha or as the period of the fading moon.
Shukla Paksha
The bright lunar fortnight or waxing moon in the Hindu calendar is known as the Shukla Paksha . The word Shukla literally means "white".Shukla Paksha is a period of 15 days, which begins on the New Moon day (Amavasya) and Concludes on Full Moon day (Purnima) and is considered auspicious, as the moon gets light during this period.
Krishna Paksha
The dark lunar fortnight or waning moon in the Hindu calendar is known as the Krishna Paksha. The Word Krishna literally means "dark". Krishna Paksha is a period of 15 days, which begins on the Full Moon day (Purnima) and Concludes on New Moon day (Amasvasya).Krishna Paksha is considered inauspicious, as the moon loses light during this period.
- Pratipada
- Dwitiya
- Tritiya
- Chaturthi
- Panchami
- Shashti
- Saptami
- Ashtami
- Navami
- Dasami
- Ekadasi
- Dvadasi
- Trayodasi
- Chaturdashi
- Amavasya (New Moon)
- Pratipada
- Dwitiya
- Tritiya
- Chaturthi
- Panchami
- Shashti
- Saptami
- Ashtami
- Navami
- Dashami
- Ekadashi
- Dwadashi
- Thrayodashi
- Chaturdashi
- Purnima (Full Moon)
*Dark Blue Colour Means Krishna Paksha
Lunar calendar too has twelve months. They bear the name of the constellation of the stars with which the moon rises on the full moon day. For example, in the first month, Chaitra, the moon will rise with the Chitra star and in the second month Vaishaka, with Vishakha star. These twelve months make a year or Samvatsara. The twelve lunar months are as follows:
Hindu Lunar month
Chaitra Vaishākha Jyaishtha Āshādha Shrāvana Bhādrapada Āshwin Kārtika Mārgashīrsha Pausha Māgha Phālguna |
English months
March-April April-May May-June June-July July-August August-September September -October October-November November-December December-January January-February February-March |
Malyalam months
Meenam Medam Edavam Mithunam Karkatakam Chingam Kannhi Thulam Vrishtikam Dhanu Makaram Kumbham |
Season or hetu
Vasanta or Spring Grishma or Summer Varsha or Rains Sarat or Autumn Hemant or winter Shishira or cool |