Indian Epigraphy c15.t1.20

c15.t1.20

The ecliptic is divided into 12 *rāśis* or signs of the Zodiac, viz. (1) Meṣa, (2) Vṛṣa, (3) Mithuna, (4) Karkaṭa, (5) Siṃha, (6) Kanyā, (7) Tulā, (8) Vṛścika, (9) Dhanus, (10) Makara, (11) Kumbha, and (12) Mīna. The sun's passage from the beginning of Meṣa to the end of Mīna is called a *saura* (solar) year (*varṣa, saṃvatsara, vatsara, etc.*). Generally the length of the solar year is regarded as 365 days, 15 *ghaṭikās* or *daṇḍas*, 31 *palas* and 30 *vipalas*,¹ although there is some slight difference of opinion among astronomers on this point. The sun's passage from the beginning to the end of a *rāśi* is called a *saura-māsa* (solar month) and its entry into a new *rāśi* a *saṅkrānti* or *saṅkramaṇa*. The day on which the *saṅkrānti* falls is counted as the first day of the solar month in the Punjab while, if it falls in the night, the following day becomes the first day of the month. The system followed in the Tamil region is similar to that followed in the Punjab. But, in Bengal, the day following the *saṅkrānti* day is regarded as the first day of the month. This leads to considerable difference in the almanacs of various parts of the country.