Vikram Samvat New Year in 2025
The Vikram Samvat is a calendar system that is used by the Hindu and Sikh community in several parts of the Indian subcontinent.
It is based on the solar sidereal years and lunar months. While it is the official calendar of Nepal, in India it is used as the regional calendar in several states, most notably in the west, north, and central India.
Festival Name | Date | States |
Vikram Samvat New Year | 02 November 2025, Sunday | several states |
Significance of Vikram Samvat New Year in Indian Culture
The Vikram Samvat New Year holds immense cultural and spiritual significance in Indian tradition, especially in regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of North India. This ancient calendar, believed to have been established by King Vikramaditya in 57 BCE, marks the victory of good over evil and symbolizes a fresh start in personal and community life.
Unlike the Gregorian New Year celebrated on January 1st, the Vikram Samvat New Year typically falls a day after Diwali. It marks the beginning of Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
For many Indian communities, this day is not just a change of date but a spiritual and financial reset. New accounting books are opened (known as Chopda Pujan in Gujarat), prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi, and families come together to seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
Origin of the Vikram Samvat Calendar System
The Vikram Samvat calendar system originates in the era called ''Vikrama'' which can be traced back to an inscription that dates back to the year 842 CE. There is also an inscription dating back to the year 971 which is associated with King Vikramaditya. Many historians dispute this and believe that it was King Chandragupta II who conferred upon himself the title of Vikramaditya and also changed the name of that era to ''Vikrama Samvat''.
About Vikram Samvat New Year
In the year 2025, the first day in the Vikram Samvat calendar falls on 02nd November, Sunday. This day is also a regional public holiday in the state of Gujarat, where it is usually observed on the day after the festival of Diwali. In the Hindu calendar, this day falls on the first day in the month of Kartik, which is the eighth month in the calendar, having a new moon.
However, the common new year's day is the start of the month called Chaitra, which is the month of April in the Gregorian calendar.
Months and Seasons in Vikram Samvat Calendar
In the Vikram Samvat system, solar sidereal years and lunar months are used. There are 12 months in this lunar year with two fortnights in each month having 30 lunar days, which are called ''tithis''.
Difference Between Vikram Samvat and Gregorian Calendar
The Vikram Samvat and Gregorian calendars differ significantly in origin, calculation method, and cultural relevance:
Feature | Vikram Samvat Calendar | Gregorian Calendar |
Origin | Introduced by King Vikramaditya in 57 BCE | Introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 |
Base Year | Starts 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar | Starts from the year of Jesus Christ's birth |
Type | Lunisolar (based on lunar months and solar year) | Solar (based solely on Earth's orbit around the sun) |
New Year Date | Day after Diwali (Kartik Shukla Pratipada) | January 1st |
Cultural Use | Widely used in Hindu religious events and festivals | Used for civil and official purposes globally |
The Vikram Samvat is primarily used in religious, cultural, and traditional contexts in India, while the Gregorian calendar governs modern civic life. This dual-calendar system allows Indians to harmonize spiritual traditions with global timekeeping.
Calendar System
While being similar to the Gregorian calendar, there are also major differences with that system. The Vikram Samvat calendar does not adjust the mismatch between the 12 lunar cycles by adding days to the lunar month, like the Gregorian calendar does. Instead, the Vikram Samvat calendar adds an extra month to the calendar every three years or one time every 19 years, thus not making any changes in the lunar month. Hence, it is a lunisolar calendar. This extra month was called ''adhik maas'' and can also be seen in the Jewish and Chinese calendar system. Early Buddhist followers also used the Vikram Samvat calendar system.
Trading Holidays in India
FAQs on Vikram Samvat New Year
- What is Vikram Samvat New Year?
Vikram Samvat New Year marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar calendar year, widely celebrated a day after Diwali. It signifies the start of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month. This new year is part of the Vikram Samvat calendar, which is older than the Gregorian calendar and holds deep cultural and religious significance in India.
- Who started the Vikram Samvat calendar?
The Vikram Samvat calendar was established by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain in 57 BCE to commemorate his victory over the Saka rulers. The calendar is named after him and is one of the oldest calendar systems still in use today in parts of India and Nepal.
- Why does the Vikram Samvat calendar differ from the Gregorian calendar?
The Vikram Samvat calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on both the phases of the moon and the solar year, whereas the Gregorian calendar is purely solar-based. As a result, Vikram Samvat New Year usually falls in October or November, aligning with Hindu festivals like Diwali, and is 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
- Which communities celebrate Vikram Samvat New Year?
The Vikram Samvat New Year is primarily celebrated by Hindus, especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of North India. It is also observed in Nepal, where the calendar is officially used. Gujarati and Marwari communities are particularly known for elaborate celebrations, business rituals, and family gatherings on this day.
- Is Vikram Samvat New Year a public holiday?
In some Indian states like Gujarat, the day after Diwali—Vikram Samvat New Year—is observed as a public holiday, especially for businesses and government offices. However, it is not a nationwide public holiday across India. The observance may vary depending on local traditions and state-specific holiday calendars.
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