The New Panchaga (New Calendar) is a revised form of calendar introduced in India in 1957. It is also known as the National Panchaga or the Saka Samvatsara Panchaga.
Key details:
- Commencement: It is based on the Saka Samvatsara and begins with the month of Chaitra.
- Date of commencement: 22 March 1957 (Sakari Saka 1879, Chaitra Shu. 1).
- Official status: Promulgated by the Government of India in the Official Gazette for use. Public calendars (almanacs) usually refer to it along with the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
- Months: 12 months; each begins when it enters a particular solar sign. New Panchaga Months:
English Month New Panchaga Month Days (Common Year)
March-April Chaitra 30/31
April-May Vaishakha 31
May-June Jyeshtha 31
June-July Ashada 31
July-August Shravan 31
August-September Bhadrapad 31
September-October Ashwin 30
October-November Kartika 30
November-December Margashirsha (Agrahayana) 30
December-January Pausha 30
January-February Magha 30
February-March Phalguna 30
Note: In leap years, Chaitra has 31 days.
Differences with Hindu religious calendar:
· New Panchaga: Based on solar model. Months are determined by fixed Sankranti/Sankraman dates. It is an official and uniform calendar.
· Traditional Panchaga: Based on lunisolar model. Months are determined based on Amavasya/Purnima and Sun position. It is the primary basis for determining religious festivals and Haridans. Auspicious and inauspicious aspects may differ in different regions.
Importance:
· Helps in uniform chronology across the country and official records.
· Basis for determination of national festivals (Independence Day, Republic Day) and schemes.
· Not used to determine Hindu religious festivals, but both (lunar and solar) dates are usually given in public information.