In
India, time has always been calculated in a spiritual and scientific calendar
called the Panchang. Panchang is Hindu Vedic calendar followed since last
five thousand years. People seek advice of Panchanga to calculate muhurta
pertaining to marriage, education, travel and agriculture to mention a
few. Panchang invokes the universe through mathematical calculations that
calculate weather, events, epidemics and personal fortune timings. Since
five thousand years in the Indian civilisation, the Panchang is followed
to list the exact time and date (muhurta) of festivals that honour and
celebrate the gods and legends of India. Panchang calculate every single
second in the calendar. Panchang is a way for the people to use timing
(muhurta) or calculating the auspicious/best time to their advantage to
do any job.
The Gregorian calendar, which is followed all over the world now, was introduced and instituted by the British in India. While the Gregorian calendar has become the most accepted calendar for the common people and government of India to manage the everyday life, the Panchang has always been the spiritual expression of time for Hindus and a guide to a life close to God and religion.
Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana are the five basic elements of Panchanga.
These five elements collectively are called 'Panchang', literally means, 'five limbs'.
