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Samvatsara, Aayanas, Seasons & Months

   
In this article, we will provide a brief introduction to several key concepts, including Samvatsara, which denotes a complete year and plays a pivotal role in understanding the Era of your birth. We’ll also explore Aaayana, the constellations of summer and winter, and delve into their significance during your birth. Also, we’ll talk about the different types of Seasons and their respective implications, as well as the months that bridge the gaps between these seasons. This comprehensive analysis will offer valuable insights into the circumstances surrounding your birth and provide a record of the period in which you entered the world.
 
List of Samavatsara Years starting from 1900 - 2073
Samvatsara Significations.
Ayana Significations

Ayana Significations

The term “Ayana” refers to half of a year, with two ayanas in one year. The first half is Uttarayana, which spans six months when the sun moves northwards, and the second is Dakshinayana, lasting six months, when the Sun moves towards the south.

December 21st is a significant date as it marks when the Sun reaches its most southern position and begins its motion toward the north. This event signifies the beginning of the winter season and the shortest day/longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. In contrast, in the southern hemisphere, it marks the beginning of the summer season and the longest day/shortest night of the year.

In the Vedic system, this event is known as Uttara Ayana, which symbolizes the beginning of the Day of the Devas. According to Vedic beliefs, one day for the Devas is equivalent to six months on the human earthly plane. During Uttara Ayana, it is considered the night for the “Asuras,” beings associated with darkness and demons.

This concept adds a fascinating perspective to the celestial movements and their symbolic meanings in different cultures. After the Sun reaches its most northern point on June 21st, the Sun begins to move southwards, marking the beginning of the Dakshina Ayana, or the night of the Devas and the day of the Asuras.

Ayana Observation
Ayana Observation Image
One can easily observe Ayana with one’s naked eyes. Just look at the eastern horizon at the time of sunrise and mark the exact point of the horizon at that time. You will observe that during 6 months of the year, the sun rises every day to a more southern position, until December 21st when the sunrise starts to move more north every day until it reaches its most northern point on June 21st, then again it starts to move southwards.

The Uttara Ayana, the northern course of the sun, is often considered highly auspicious for celebrating significant life events and commencing virtuous deeds (karmas) since divine forces and light are more predominant during this time. However, for a true nishkama karma yogi, someone who acts without any attachment to the results of their actions, or for those dedicated to yoga sadhana, these considerations are irrelevant.

Seasons
&
Months

The Hindu calendar comprises twelve lunar months (masas), which total approximately 354 days, while a sidereal (solar) year is about 365 days long. This results in an approximate difference of eleven days between the lunar and solar years. To reconcile this difference, a correction is applied approximately every 2.71 years, or about every 32.5 months. The twelve months are further divided into six lunar seasons, synchronized with agricultural cycles, the blossoming of natural flowers, the shedding of leaves, and weather patterns. To address the misalignment between the lunar and solar calendars, Hindu scholars introduced intercalary months, during which a specific month was repeated. The choice of which month to repeat was not arbitrary but carefully timed to realign the two calendars with the agricultural and natural cycles.

Amanta, Purnimanta systems:  Two traditions have been followed in the Indian subcontinent with respect to lunar months: Amanta tradition which ends the lunar month on no moon day, and Purnimanta tradition which ends it on full moon day.