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Differences Between North Indian Hindu Calendar and Bengali Hindu Calendar

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Both the North Indian Hindu Calendar and the Bengali Hindu Calendar serve important roles in the cultural and religious life of their respective regions. Despite their differences in structure and calculation, both calendars are deeply intertwined with Hindu traditions and continue to guide the timing of festivals, rituals, and daily activities for millions of people.

  1. Names of Months:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: The months are named Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, Kartika, Margashirsha, Pausha, Magha, and Phalguna.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: The months are named Boishakh, Joishtho, Ashar, Srabon, Bhadro, Ashwin, Kartik, Agrahayan, Poush, Magh, Falgun, and Choitro.

  2. Start of the Year:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: The year typically begins with the month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March-April.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: The year starts with the month of Boishakh, which begins in mid-April.

  3. Lunar vs. Solar Basis:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: Primarily lunisolar, it bases its months on lunar cycles. A month starts with either a new moon (Amavasya) or a full moon (Purnima).
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: It is mainly solar, with months based on the solar transit through zodiac signs. The Bengali calendar months are fixed with the solar cycle, leading to fixed dates for each month.

  4. Era Used:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: Uses the Vikram Samvat era, which started in 57 BCE.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: Uses the Bengali era (Bengali San), which started in 593 CE.

  5. Festivals and Observances:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: Major festivals include Diwali, Holi, Navaratri, and Raksha Bandhan, which are calculated based on lunar positions.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: Major festivals include Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), and Kali Puja, which are calculated based on solar positions.

  6. Panchangam (Almanac):

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: The panchangam includes lunar dates (tithis), nakshatras (lunar mansions), and other details used for determining auspicious times.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: Also includes similar details, but with a focus on solar months and their significance.

  7. Calculation of Tithis:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: The tithi system is complex and involves the calculation of lunar days.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: The focus is more on solar months and corresponding festivals; however, tithis are still used for religious observances.

  8. Regional Influence:

    • North Indian Hindu Calendar: Predominantly used in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
    • Bengali Hindu Calendar: Primarily used in the state of West Bengal, and among the Bengali-speaking population in Assam and Bangladesh.