The Indian national calendar, known as the Shaka calendar or Śaka calendar, is a solar calendar that is used in conjunction with the Gregorian calendar. It is utilized by The Gazette of India, featured in news broadcasts by All India Radio, and appears in official communications from the Government of India. The Śaka Samvat typically lags 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar, though it is 79 years behind from January to March.
Due to historical influences, the Śaka calendar is also used in Java and Bali by Indonesian Hindus. In Bali, Nyepi, the “Day of Silence,” marks the Śaka new year. Nepal’s Nepal Sambat calendar evolved from the Śaka calendar. Additionally, the Śaka calendar was historically used in parts of the modern-day Philippines, as noted in the Laguna copperplate inscription. In India, the Yugabda calendar is also employed, aligning with the Śaka/Nepal Sambat months. Yugabda is based on the Kaliyuga Sankhya from Indian astrology. As of 2024 CE, Kali Yuga, which began 5,125 years ago, has 426,875 years remaining and is expected to end in 428,899 CE.
