The Jain monk Kalakacharya and the Saka King who Vikramaditya defeated. (Kalakacharya Katha manuscript, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai)
The Bikram Sambat (alternatively spelled as the Vikram Samvat) is an ancient Hindu calendar system that dates back to around 57 BCE (or 57 BC). It is named after the legendary King Vikramaditya, who is said to have established the calendar to commemorate his victory over the Sakas, who ruled parts of northwestern India at the time. It is believed that King Vikramaditya commissioned a group of scholars to create the Bikram Sambat calendar system, which marked the beginning of a new era.
According to historical accounts, the Bikram Sambat calendar was already in use in some parts of India before it was introduced to Nepal. Over time, the Bikram Sambat calendar became widely used in India and spread to neighboring countries, including Nepal. The exact details of how and when the Bikram Sambat calendar was introduced to Nepal are not known, but it is likely that it was brought to Nepal by Indian traders, scholars, and religious leaders who traveled to the region.
Bikram Sambat Calendar vs the Western Gregorian Calendar. Courtesy: 2013_Bookmatter_TheRoleOfRenewableEnergyTechno
Lunar Metrics on Bikram Sambat Calendar
The Bikram Sambat calendar is a lunar-based calendar system, which means that it is based on the cycles of the moon. The calendar is made up of 12 lunar months, with each month corresponding to one full cycle of the moon. Each lunar month in the Bikram Sambat calendar begins on the day of the new moon, which is known as Aunshi. The month ends on the day of the full moon, which is known as Purnima. The lunar month is divided into two halves, with the first half of the month known as Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight) and the second half of the month known as Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight).
In the Bikram Sambat calendar, a Tithi is a lunar day, and it is one of the fundamental components of the calendar system. A Tithi is defined as the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the sun to increase by 12 degrees. The Bikram Sambat calendar is based on the Tithi system, and each Tithi is characterized by a specific phase of the moon, which is either waxing or waning.
The lunar month in the Bikram Sambat calendar is divided into 30 Tithis, and each Tithi has a specific name and significance in Hindu mythology and culture. The Tithis are important for determining the auspicious and inauspicious times for various religious and cultural ceremonies and events.
The length of each lunar month in the Bikram Sambat calendar is determined by the actual length of the lunar cycle, which is approximately 29.5 days. However, since a lunar year is shorter than a solar year, the Bikram Sambat calendar is adjusted periodically to keep it in line with the solar year. This adjustment is made by adding an extra month, known as Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas, every three years. The separation of the year from the lunar month cycle is achieved by adding an extra day, known as “Adhik Maas” or “Purushottam Maas,” to the calendar every three years. This extra month helps to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year and prevents it from drifting too far out of alignment with the seasons.
One unique feature of the Bikram Sambat calendar is that it separates the year from the lunar month cycle. This means that the year begins on the first day of the month of Baishakh, which usually falls in mid-April in the Gregorian calendar. This is different from most other lunar calendars, which begin the year on the first new moon after the winter solstice. The Bikram Sambat calendar is based on the cycles of the Moon and consists of 12 lunar months, each with 29 or 30 days. To keep the calendar in sync with the solar year, an extra month is added every three years.
Over the centuries, the Bikram Sambat calendar has been modified and adapted to suit the needs of different regions and cultures. It has also been influenced by other calendar systems, such as the Islamic and Gregorian calendars. Nonetheless, it remains an important part of Hindu culture and tradition and is celebrated each year with the festival of Bikram Sambat New Year (also known as Bikram Sambat Diwas).
Legends related to Bikram Sambat Calendar
There are several legends associated with the Bikram Sambvat, an ancient Hindu calendar system named after the legendary king Vikramaditya. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- The Legend of King Vikramaditya: According to legend, King Vikramaditya was a wise and just ruler who defeated the Sakas, a group of invaders who ruled parts of northwestern India. To commemorate his victory, he commissioned a group of scholars to create a new calendar system, which would mark the beginning of a new era. This new calendar system became known as the Bikram Sambat.
- The Legend of Lord Brahma: Another legend associated with the Bikram Sambat relates to Lord Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. According to this legend, Lord Brahma created the world on the first day of the month of Chaitra, which is the first month of the Bikram Sambat calendar.
- The Legend of King Harshavardhana: King Harshavardhana, who ruled parts of northern India in the 7th century, is said to have played a role in the development of the Bikram Sambat calendar. According to legend, he was a patron of the arts and sciences and sponsored the work of scholars who were involved in refining the calendar system.
- The Legend of the Elephant: According to another legend, an elephant was used to determine the start of the Bikram Sambat calendar. The story goes that a wise man was asked to determine the most auspicious day to start the calendar, and he suggested that a wild elephant be caught and released on the first day of the month of Chaitra. The day on which the elephant was caught and released became the first day of the Bikram Sambat calendar.
These legends have helped to create a sense of mystique and cultural significance around the Bikram Sambat calendar, which is still widely used in India and Nepal today.
Bikram Sambat Calendar’s transition before and after Rana Regime in Nepal
The Bikram Sambat calendar continued to be used as the official calendar in Nepal even after the end of the Rana regime in 1951. However, during the Rana regime, the calendar was replaced by the Saka Sambat calendar, which was used for official purposes.
After the end of the Rana regime, King Tribhuvan, who was the first king of modern Nepal, declared that the Bikram Sambat calendar would once again be the official calendar of Nepal. This decision was made in recognition of the cultural and historical significance of the Bikram Sambat calendar in Nepal.
Today, the Bikram Sambat calendar is widely used in Nepal for religious and administrative purposes. It is recognized as the official calendar of Nepal and is used to determine government holidays and official events. The calendar is also an important part of Nepali culture and tradition and is celebrated with great enthusiasm during festivals such as the Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat) and other religious festivals throughout the year.
