The Vikram Samvat calendar is also used in the Hindu diaspora in other parts of the world. It is named after King Vikramaditya and is said to have been established by him in 57 BCE.
The Vikram Samvat calendar is used to determine important religious and cultural events in the Hindu community, including major festivals such as Navaratri, Diwali, and Holi.
The year in the Vikram Samvat calendar consists of 12 lunar months, each with either 29 or 30 days, with an extra day added to the second month in a leap year. The new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar begins in mid-April and marks the first day of the month of Baishakh.
In terms of its calculation, the Vikram Samvat calendar is based on the movements of the sun and moon. The solar year in the calendar is divided into 12 equal parts, known as the 12 rashis or zodiac signs. The lunar year, on the other hand, is based on the phases of the moon, and its calculation takes into account the time it takes for the moon to complete one orbit around the Earth.
It is important to note that the Vikram Samvat calendar is not the same as the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used globally. The dates of events and festivals in the Vikram Samvat calendar may differ from those in the Gregorian calendar, and conversion between the two calendars can be a complex process. In some cases, the Gregorian date of a Hindu festival can vary by several days depending on the location and method of calculation used.
Despite these differences, the Vikram Samvat calendar continues to play an important role in the cultural and religious traditions of Hindu communities and remains a symbol of their rich heritage and history.
