ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Indian national calendar

Hello there! Do you know that there is a special calendar that is used in India? It's called the Indian National Calendar. Let me tell you all about it!

This calendar is different from the regular calendar you might be used to seeing. It follows a different system to divide time and mark important days. In the Indian National Calendar, a year is divided into twelve months, just like in the regular calendar. The names of the months, however, are different.

The Indian National Calendar starts with the month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April. The names of the rest of the months are Vaishakha, Jyaistha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, Kartika, Agrahayana, Pausha, Magha, and Phalguna. These names might sound strange to you, but they have important meanings and associations in Indian culture and traditions.

Each month in the Indian National Calendar is divided into two parts called Pakshas. The first half is called Shukla Paksha, and the second half is called Krishna Paksha. Each paksha is made up of fifteen days. So, altogether a month has thirty days.

Now, let's talk about some important days and festivals that are marked in the Indian National Calendar. The calendar is closely tied to the cycles of nature and the agricultural cycles, so many festivals are related to seasons, harvests, and auspicious times for planting and sowing seeds.

For example, one of the most important festivals is Diwali, also called the festival of lights, which usually falls in October or November. It marks the end of the harvest season and the start of a new year in many parts of India. Holi, another well-known festival, falls in March and celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.

There are many other festivals in the Indian National Calendar, each with its own stories, customs, and traditions. These festivals reflect the rich cultural diversity and heritage that make India such a fascinating and diverse country.

So, that's a brief overview of the Indian National Calendar. It might seem a bit different from what you're used to, but it's an important part of Indian culture and tradition. Maybe one day you'll get to experience some of the festivals and celebrations for yourself!