The way there are 12 months in the Gregorian calendar, so also the Hindu calendar has 12 months which have derived their names after the particular star (nakshatram) that falls on the Full Moon day. In some regions of India a new month starts after the full moon day / Poornima while in most of the regions, a new month starts after Amavasya or the No Moon day.
There are 27 stars as per Vedic astrology and each star is assigned a name.
The names of the 12 months are:
There are 27 stars as per Vedic astrology and each star is assigned a name.
The names of the 12 months are:
- Chaitram - the 1st month in the Hindu calendar which falls in the months of March / April. The month got its name from Chitra nakshatram.
- Vaisakham - the 2nd month and is named after Visakha nakshatram which falls in April / May.
- Jyesthaam - the 3rd month, got its name from Jyestha nakshatram and it falls in May / June.
- Aashadam - the 4th month and is named after Poorvashada / Uttarashada stars and the month falls in June / July.
- Sraavanam - the 5th month and it got its name from Sravana nakshatram which falls in July / August.
- Bhaadrapada Maasam got the name from the stars Poorvabhadra, Uttarabhadra and it falls in August / September.
- Aswayuja Maasam is named after the star Aswini and falls in month of September / October.
- Kaartikam - got the name after Krithika Nakshatram which falls in October / November.
- Maargasiram - named after the star Mrugasira and it falls in the month of November / December.
- Pushya Maasam after the star Pushyami and it falls December / January.
- Maagham - got the name after Makha Nakshatram which falls in January / February.
- Phalguna Maasam is named after the stars Poorva Phalguni and Uttara Phalguni and it falls in February / March.