Mes.asam.kra ̄nti, which was originally equivalent to the vernal equinox, now falls
on around April 14. This also explains the date of Makarasam.kra ̄nti, the festi-
val of winter solstice, falling on around January 14.
4.2 Calendar system
Month names The traditional Indian calendar is essentially luni-solar, although
the solar calendar is also used additionally in some regions. In order to keep the
relation of the lunar months with the change of seasons, the lunar month name
was related to the solar month. First of all the solar month was determined by
the “entry” (sam.kra ̄ntiorsam.kraman.a) of the sun into each of the zodiacal signs.
The relation between sam.kra ̄nti and the lunar month names is shown in table
18.2. Thus, for example, the lunar month Caitra is defined as the month which
contains the Mes.asam.kra ̄nti and Vais ́a ̄kha is the month which contains the
calendar, astrology, and astronomy 385Mina Mesa Vrsa MithunamesadiPisces V.E. Aries Taurus GeminiMina Mesa Vrsa MithunamesadiV.E. Aries Taurus Gemini CancerAboutAD 285AboutAD 2000·
···· ··
·Figure 18.1: Precession of equinoxes.
Table 18.2
Sam.kra ̄ nti Present date Lunar month
Mes.a (Aries) April 14 Caitra
Vr.s.a (Taurus) May 14 Vais ́a ̄ kha
Mithuna (Gemini) June 15 Jyais.t.ha
Karkat.a (Cancer) July 16 A ̄s.a ̄d.ha
Sim.ha (Leo) August 16 S ́ra ̄van.a
Kanya ̄ (Virgo) September 17 Bha ̄ drapada
Tula ̄ (Libra) October 17 A ̄s ́vina
Vr.s ́cika (Scorpion) November 16 Ka ̄ rttika
Dhanus (Sagittarius) December 15 Ma ̄rgas ́ira
Makara (Capricorn) January 14 Paus.a
Kumbha (Aquarius) February 13 Ma ̄ gha
Mı ̄na (Pisces) March 14 Pha ̄ lguna