Time as an entity has always puzzled philosophers and scientists of every era. To modern science, time is the fourth dimension whose mystery it is still trying to unravel. There is no definite answer as to who first thought of time as a separate entity that can be used to organise human lives. Most probably it flowed from the natural diurnal setting of the earth — the sun appears on the horizon and disappears from the horizon.
Pre-historical evidence shows that by around 7,000-6,000 BC, people had learnt to keep time. But this ancient time-keeping was based on lunar calendars. It is possible that ancient societies found following the moon easier than the sun to keep time.
Indian societies developed both the sun-based and the moon-based calendars — solar and lunar. But somehow lunar calendars became more popular. It followed weather and hence cropping patterns more closely. And most festivals in India were tied to cropping patterns.
Calendars are called Samvat in Sanskrit. Two calendars have outlived the rest on the Indian subcontinent — the Saka and Vikram. The Saka Samvat, started by the Kushan dynasty emperor Kanishka in 78 BC, was adopted by India as the national calendar in the 1950s. However, Vikram Samvat, started in 57 BC by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, has been popular among many communities — especially those in businesses. It’s named after the ruler. For the record, at least 14 Indian kings used the title of Vikramaditya. The Vikram Samvat is also used in Nepal, where it is one of the official calendars.
Samvat 2081 is upon us, set to kick off with the upcoming Diwali festival. This marks the beginning of a new year. It is considered a perfect time among the business communities to revisit financial strategies and plan for the year ahead. It’s also viewed as the right time to start their investment journey.
However, there appears to be some confusion about whether the new Vikram Samvat year really starts with Diwali, or, it begins with Chaitra. The confusion is particularly linked to the fact that the Gregorian Calendar, launched in the 16th century by Pope Gregory XIII, is commonly used for all time-keeping purposes. However, the new Vikram Samvat year does not begin with Diwali, which marks the beginning of a new financial year — similar to what we see in April in India in the Gregorian calendar.
Vikram Samvat 2081, a part of the ancient Indian lunar calendar system, will span over the 12 months of years 2024 and 2025 of the Gregorian calendar. As said earlier, the calendar is lunar-based, which means it tracks months from one new moon to the subsequent ones. On the Gregorian scale, it is 57 years ahead. Hence, Vikram Samvat 2081 as we continue to live in Gregorian 2024.
Here are the 10 things to know about Vikram Samvat 2081:
Historical significance of 2081The year 2081 in Vikram Samvat isn’t just a date, it’s a continuation of an ancient legacy. It’s a symbolic link to the technique of time-keeping on the Indian subcontinent, and is closely linked to the unique cultural attributes of the region.
Cultural marker in NepalVikram Samvat 2081 is an official year in Nepal’s national calendar. It marks the continuation of a way of life that distinguishes Nepal culturally from the rest of the world.
Agricultural blendVikram Samvat blends with agricultural practices well. Diwali falls when rabi crops have been sowed in fields and it is time for agrarian societies to nurture their crops, giving them a break from arduous work of sowing.
A new year in DiwaliVikram Samvat 2081, though it began earlier this year, Diwali marks the beginning of a new financial year. Account-keeping is done and old documents are organised for referral checks as new books are opened.
Agricultural dependenceIt is in the subconscious and unconscious mind of Indian farmers to depend on Vikram Samvat months for planting and harvesting dates. In villages, where most of the cropping happens, people frequently use Vikram Samvat months in their conversations as it aligns more closely with Indian weather styles than the Gregorian calendar does.
Astrological insightsPeople on the subcontinent follow astrological dates to ensure that their important events are conducted during auspicious times. Vikram Samvat helps them do that. All important rituals of the family and businesses — weddings, fairs and the like — of this year are aligned with Vikram Samvat 2081 dates, not the Gregorian calendar schedule.
Tithis and ritualsIn Vikram Samvat 2081, every tithi (lunar day) has its own importance, influencing spiritual observances and cultural practices throughout the year.
Nakshatras and human affairsThe lunar cycle is split into 27 nakshatras (constellations). In Vikram Samvat 2081 too, these nakshatras provide the manual for astrological predictions, deciding auspicious days for lifestyle activities and important cultural functions.
An era of global adoptionWith Indians and people from other countries of the region settling down abroad for jobs or better prospects of life, they are taking with them their culture, of which time-keeping in the Vikram Samvat is an integral part. They celebrate all festivals, currently Diwali, according to the calculations done on Vikram Samvat, whose Year 2081 has dates marked for all cultural celebrations.
Continuing folk traditionsAs the Vikram Samvat is drilled deep into Indian societal systems, it is part of the folk traditions as well. Vikram Samvat 2081 has been the guide for folk festivals such as Baishakhi, Teej, Gangaur, and others, each showcasing India’s cultural richness to the world.
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