Hindu calendar: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Navagraha statues arranged in a temple shrine, with a central black stone deity and surrounding yellow stone figures, in a Lord Shiva temple in Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Circular zodiac wheel showing the twelve astrological signs with symbols, illustrations, and date ranges. The chart includes elemental groups—fire, earth, air, and water—and gender symbols for masculine and feminine signs on a dark purple background.

Bride and groom in traditional attire sit together as elders present ceremonial offerings during a Hindu wedding ceremony in Chennai, surrounded by family and guests.

An Indian woman in a red and yellow sari crouches on the ground, painting a large, intricate and colorful rangoli design outside her house for the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti.

Rangoli for Diwali

Children in colorful traditional clothing and floral headpieces dance and flower garlands on a street.

See All Images →

Topics

Māgha Hinduism sacred calendar Church year Feast Jewish religious year sanctity of the cow Maya calendar matha Aztec calendar fasti Islamic calendar How many Hindu gods are there?

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

A woman and her daughter smear color powder on one another's face on Holi, the Indian festival of colors.

Hindu Holiday Quiz