The Sanskrit Calendar
How to Read a Sanskrit Calendar
A practical primer — what each part of a traditional Panchang page actually tells you, and where to look on this site for more.
The four numbers at the top
Most printed Panchangs open with four year-numbers on the same page: the Vikram Samvat year, the Shaka Samvat year, the current Samvatsara name, and the Gregorian year. All four describe the same day, in four different counting systems.
The month and Paksha
Next comes the Masa (month) and Paksha (fortnight) — for example, "Bhadrapada, Shukla Paksha."
The five Panchanga elements for the day
Then the day's specific Panchanga values: Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana — the five measurements that give the Panchanga its name.
Quick lookups by year
See 2026 or 2027 for that specific year's Vikram Samvat, Shaka Samvat and Samvatsara name.