12 Vedic Months — Masa
The Hindu lunar year has 12 masa (months) from Chaitra (March–April) through Phalguna (February–March). Each is presided by one of the 12 Adityas, belongs to a ritu (season), and carries its own festival cycle, vrata calendar, and ritual character. The masa system anchors every Hindu festival, fast, and muhurat.
Chaitra
चैत्र
March – April
Aditya: Vishnu Aditya
SpringVaishakha
वैशाख
April – May
Aditya: Aryaman Aditya
SpringJyeshtha
ज्येष्ठ
May – June
Aditya: Vivasvan Aditya
SummerAshadha
आषाढ
June – July
Aditya: Amshuman Aditya
Monsoon (early)Shravana
श्रावण
July – August
Aditya: Indra Aditya
MonsoonBhadrapada
भाद्रपद
August – September
Aditya: Parjanya Aditya
Monsoon (late)Ashvin
आश्विन
September – October
Aditya: Tvashta Aditya
AutumnKartika
कार्तिक
October – November
Aditya: Mitra Aditya
AutumnMargashirsha
मार्गशीर्ष
November – December
Aditya: Varuna Aditya
Early winterPausha
पौष
December – January
Aditya: Bhaga Aditya
WinterMagha
माघ
January – February
Aditya: Pushan Aditya
WinterPhalguna
फाल्गुन
February – March
Aditya: Savitar Aditya
Spring (transition)How the Hindu lunar year works
Each masa has two pakshas (fortnights) — shukla paksha (waxing moon, 15 days) and krishna paksha (waning moon, 15 days). A masa runs from one new moon to the next (amanta system, used in South + West India) or one full moon to the next (purnimanta system, used in North India). Every ~3 years an extra adhik masa (intercalary month) is inserted to keep the lunar year aligned with the solar year.