Observing Hindu Calendar Traditions

The Hindu calendar corresponds to phases of the moon, with each month beginning with the new moon. Each year consists of 12 months with 29 1/2 days, totaling 354 days. Festival dates move back 11 days each year, so an extra leap month is added once every three years. The year is divided into six seasons and two halves. Throughout the year, Hindus consult the calendar to decide the dates that festivals will be celebrated on.

Full Moon

In Hinduism, Puranmashi, or Purnima, is the day of the full moon. This day is considered sacred, and Hindus traditionally spend the day fasting, giving to charities or undergoing a ritual bath. On the full-moon day during the Hindu month of Ashad (July to August), Hindus celebrate Guru Purnima. On this day, Hindus revere the gurus and spiritual teachers who have enlightened them. They travel to an ashram or monastery to visit their gurus and perform a formal ritual called the puja, during which they honor the gurus' feet. A celebratory procession follows.

The 13th Month

The 13th month that is added to the Hindu calendar every three years is known as the Adhika Masa. Hindus consider this month sacred and dedicate it to Lord Vishnu, the supreme god in Hinduism. During this month, Hindus awake between the hours of 4 and 6 a.m. and immediately bathe and pray to Vishnu. They typically stick to a Sattvic diet during this month, eating foods such as nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits. Hindus also make an effort to visit Vishnu Temple or a temple of his incarnations during the month.

Chaturmasya

The Chaturmasya begins in the month of June and lasts through September. This four-month period takes place during the rainy season, and it is believed that the gods sleep during this time. Hindus take a vow to limit sense gratification for these months; they thus avoid eating for pleasure and omit foods like spinach, milk and yogurt from their diets.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the sun passes through winter solstice from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn in the Hindu month of Poush (mid-January), signifying that the harvest season has begun and the monsoon season has ended. Makar Sankranti is celebrated with fanfare in India, and each region of the country has its own way of observing the holiday. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, for instance, celebrants fly brightly colored kites, while in Punjab, the residents light bonfires and throw sweets and sugarcane onto the fire while celebrating with friends and relatives.