Hindu Calendar Explained

 The Hindu calendar system is based upon the motion of the moon.  Each lunar year comprises twelve months.  The lunar year comprises 354 days, compared to 365 ¼ days of the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar system.

This gap increases to a month over a period of three years.  For this reason, the Hindu lunar calendar has an extra month every three years, named Adhik.

The month of Adhik is considered to be more auspicious, and is referred to as the month of Purushottam, God.  Those observing extra penance, bhakti and benevolence during this month gain extra blessings from God and their sins are washed away.  During this month auspicious events such as weddings are avoided.

The counting of the years of the Hindu calendar commenced from the birth of King Vikram Samvat.  It is for this reason that Hindu dates are prefixed with VS, to define Vikram Samvat.
The Hindu months and the Gregorian calendar months are as follows:

1          Kartik             October – November

2          Magsar          November – December

3          Poash            December – January

4          Maha              January – February

5          Falgun           February – March

6          Chaitra           March – April

7          Vaishakh       April – May

8          Jyeshth          May – June

9          Ashadh          June – July

10        Shravan         July – August

11        Bhadarvo       August – September

12        Aaso                September – October
Chronological List of Festivals
Festivals     Hindu Months     Gregorian Months
Makar Sakranti     14thday (B.H.)Maha      January
Vasant Panchmi, Shikshapatri Jayanti     5thday (B.H.), Maha      January/February
Maha Shivratri     14thday (D.H.), Maha      January/February
NarNarayan Jayanti, Holi     15thday (B.H.), Falgun      February/March
Swaminarayan Jayanti, Ramnavmi     9thday (B.H.), Chaitra     March/April
Rath Yatra     2ndday (B.H.), Ashadh     June/July
Chaturmas     11thday (B.H.), Ashadh     June/July
Hindola     2ndday (D.H.), Ashadh     June/July
Rakshabandhan     Last day (B.H.), Shravan     July/August
Janmashtami     8thday (D.H.), Shravan     July/August
Ganesh Choth     4thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo     August/September
Rushi Panchmi     5thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo     August/September
Jal Jilni     11thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo     August/September
Vaman Jayanti     12thday (B.H.), Bhadarvo     August/September
Sharad Poonam     Last day (B.H.), Aaso      September/October
Dhan Teras     13thday (D.H.), Aaso     October/November
Kali Chaudas     14thday (D.H.), Aaso     October/November
Diwali     Last day (D.H.), Aaso     October/November
Ankoot     1stday (B.H.), Kartik     October/November
Bhai Beej     2ndday (B.H.), Kartik     October/November
Tulsi Vivaha     11thday (B.H.), Kartik     October/November
Dhanurmas     2ndday (B.H.), Magsar     November/December