Indian Calendar 2025

Understanding The Indian Calendar 2025

The Indian Calendar is a complete list of festivals and special cultural occasions celebrated across India. Officially adopted in 1957, it marks the important dates of religious festivals, such as Eid, Holi, Guru Purab, Pongal, etc. Keep reading to learn about the Calendar 2025 India with holidays and festivals.

Different Types of Calendar Forms

India is home to diverse religions and cultures, and it celebrates its festivals by following the Sun’s movements and the Moon’s phases. Celebrations like Makar Sankranti and Pongal follow the Sun, while Shivratri and Eid follow the Moon. Discover how easily the Calendar 2025 India combines these traditions by mixing the different calendar forms.

• Solar Calendar

A solar calendar is based on the position of the Earth around the Sun. A year in the Solar calendar depends on the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full circle around the Sun, 365 days. The Gregorian calendar, used in India and worldwide, is the prime example of the solar calendar.

• Lunar Calendar

The Lunar calendar follows the phases of the Moon (synodic months or lunations). A month in the Lunar calendar depends on the days it takes for the Moon to go from one new moon to the next, which is about 29.5 days. The Islamic Hijri calendar followed by Muslims is a type of Lunar calendar that marks their important festivals, such as Eid, Ashura, etc.

• Lunisolar Calendar

A lunisolar calendar is a blend of Solar and Lunar calendars that calculates time using the Sun and Moon’s phases and cycles. The Hindu and Buddhist 2025 festival Calendar are prime examples of lunisolar calendars using both lunar months and solar years.

Calendar Systems Followed in India

When the Calendar Reform Committee was formed, its goal was to study the 30 different types of calendar systems followed in India and combine them into one. Today, four main calendar types are followed: Vikram Samwat, Saka Samwat, Hijri, and Gregorian. Below is the list of 2025 calendar India follows:

• Vikram Samwat Calendar

The Vikram Samwat Calendar is a lunisolar started in 57 BCE by King Vikramaditya. It has 12 lunar months and 354 days in total. Each month is divided into two parts based on the moon phases: Krishnapaksha and Shuklapaksha. States such as Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal follow this lunisolar 2025 calendar India festival and traditions alongside the Indian calendar.

• Saka Samwat Calendar

The Saka Samwat Calendar, introduced by King Shalivahana in the Shaka era, is a lunisolar-based calendar system. Also a national symbol of India, the Shaka calendar consists of 365 days and 12 months, like the Gregorian calendar. Since the structure of the Saka Samwat and Gregorian calendars is similar, the Government of India adopted them as civil and official calendars.

• Hijri Calendar

The Hijri calendar, a lunar calendar, is a system used mainly by Muslims. It began in A.D. 622 and is derived from the word ‘Hijrah,’ which means migration. The Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, which is why this calendar is known as the Hijri calendar. This type of Indian Calendar 2025 has 354 or 355 days divided into 12 lunar months.

• Gregorian Calendar

Also known as the English Calendar, the Gregorian calendar is the most widely used calendar system. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to correct calculation mistakes in the Julian calendar. However, in 1957, the Government of India adopted it as a civil calendar. This solar calendar tracks the Earth’s movement around the Sun and consists of 356 days, 12 months, and a leap year (every four years).

Different Types of Calendars Followed in India

The calendars followed in India can be as diverse as those based on the religions and cultures practised. Every other religion has different customs and traditions and a different calendar to follow. So, let us look at the types of calendar 2025 India with holidays and festivals:

• Hindu Calendar

The Hindu calendar is based on the Vikram Samwat era and follows the Sun cycles and Moon phases. By studying these movements, the Panchang determines the dates of festivals celebrated in the Hindu calendar. These include Holi, Diwali, Navratri, Janmashtami, etc. The year 2025 will be marked as Vikram Samwat 2081-2082.

• Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar is based on the Hijri era and follows the phases of the Moon to celebrate its festivals and religious events. Of all the 12 months, Muharram, Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab are considered sacred. Its major festivals include Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Milad un Nabi etc. The year 2025 will be marked as 1446-1447 AH.

• Jain Calendar

The Jain calendar is based on the Vikram Samwat and Vira Nirvana Samwat eras. The major festivals celebrated in the Jain calendar are Paryushan Parva, Mahavir Jayanti, Navpada Oli, etc. According to the Jain 2025 festival calendar, the year 2025 is Vira Nirvana Samwat 2545.

• Sikh Calendar

Also known as the Nanakshahi calendar, the Sikh calendar is based on the Nanakshahi era. A year in the Sikh calendar begins with the Chet month and ends with the Phaggan month. It is a solar calendar that marks important Sikh festivals such as Baisakhi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, etc. According to the Sikh Calendar, the year 2025 is Nanakshahi Sammat 556.

• Christian Calendar

The Christian calendar, also known as the Gregorian calendar, is a solar calendar that consists of 365 or 366 days. The major Christian 2025 Calendar India festival celebrated are Easter, Christman, Good Friday, etc. In this calendar, the year 2025 will be noted as 2025 CE.

• Buddhist Calendar

The Buddhist calendar is a lunisolar calendar based on the Saka era. In this calendar, a year begins with Citta (around March-April) and ends with Phagguna (February- March). The major festivals Buddhists celebrate are Vesak, Magha Puja Day, Asalha Puja Day, etc. In 2025, the year in the Buddhist calendar will be marked as 2565 Buddhist Era (BE).

The Astrological Significance of the Indian Calendar 2025

From an astrological point of view, the Indian calendar plays an important role in determining several insights. It helps in determining:

• Zodiac Sign and Personality: Each month in the Indian calendar is associated with a certain zodiac sign in astrology. One can learn a lot about one's personality and future events by learning one's zodiac signs.
• Shubh Muhurat or Auspicious Timings: Astrology helps determine the shubh muhurat for performing rituals based on the Sun and Moon’s movements. One can bring good luck and success by performing auspicious things, such as weddings, purchasing, starting a new job or business.
• Festivals and Fasts:Apart from shubh muhurat, the Indian calendar 2025 teaches about important fasts and festivals. For instance, people keep fasts on Ekadashi (twice a month) or Purnima. The calendar helps them learn the exact date and perform the ritual during those periods.