Tretā Yuga

Hindu chronology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

In Hindu cosmology, the Treta Yuga is the second of four ages, or yugas, that constitute a mahayuga (great age). Each yuga represents a progressive decline in humanity's moral and physical state. The Treta Yuga follows the Krita Yuga and is succeeded by the Dvapara Yuga. This age is associated with an increase in religious observance and a decrease in virtue compared to the Krita Yuga. The duration of the Treta Yuga is traditionally calculated as 3,600 years of the gods, which equates to 1,296,000 human years. It is considered a significant period, marking a transition in the cosmic cycle.12345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

chronology
Eras based on astronomical speculation
…in the three others, the Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali yugas. The respective durations of these four yugas were 1,728,000, 1,296,000, 864,000, and 432,000 years. According to the astronomer Aryabhata, however, the duration of each of the four yugas was the same—i.e., 1,080,000 years. The basic figures in these calculations were…
Read More
…in the three others, the Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali yugas. The respective durations of these four yugas were 1,728,000, 1,296,000, 864,000, and 432,000 years. According to the astronomer Aryabhata, however, the duration of each of the four yugas was the same—i.e., 1,080,000 years. The basic figures in these calculations were…
Read More

Hinduism
Myths of time and eternity
…a total of 4,800 years; Treta a total of 3,600 years; Dvapara 2,400 years; and Kali (the current one), 1,200 years. A mahayuga thus lasts 12,000 years and observes the usual coefficient of 12, derived from the 12-month year, the unit of creation. These years are “years of the gods,”…
Read More
…a total of 4,800 years; Treta a total of 3,600 years; Dvapara 2,400 years; and Kali (the current one), 1,200 years. A mahayuga thus lasts 12,000 years and observes the usual coefficient of 12, derived from the 12-month year, the unit of creation. These years are “years of the gods,”…
Read More