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Question 12
Child : Mom, please tell me about the Hindu calendar. How is it different from the Gregorian calendar?
Mother : Most fasts and festivals in Hinduism are based on the lunar calendar year. According to this, one lunar year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each. Each month is divided into two halves of 15 days, dark and bright. The names of the Hindu months in relation to the western calendar are:
1. Chaitra/March-April
2. Vaishakha/April-May
3. Jyestha/May-June
4. Ashadha/June-July
5. Shravana/July-August
6. Bhadrapada/August-September
7. Ashwina/September-October
8. Kartika/October-November
9. Margsheersha/November-December
10. Pausha/December-January
11. Magha/ January-February
12. Phalguna/February-March.
The 11th day of each half(Ekadashi) and the full moon day of each month (Purnima) are considered very auspicious for fasts and worship and for obtaining blessings from the Almighty Lord.
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