Why Do Hindus Follow the Gregorian Calendar?

The question often arises: If Hindus have their own calendar, why do they follow the 7-day week, which is part of the Gregorian calendar?

Origins of the 7-day Week

The 7-day week pre-dates the Gregorian calendar in most parts of the world, including within Christendom. The Gregorian calendar, decreed by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, corrected the duration of a year from 365.25 days (as per the Julian calendar) to 365.2422 days. This adjustment involved the concept of leap years. However, the adoption of a 7-day week is much older. Ancient astronomers, including the Egyptians and Mayans, had calculated the duration of a week centuries earlier.

Adoption of the 7-day Week in India

The earliest known 7-day week is attributed to the Babylonians, which was later adopted into the Hebrew calendar and spread into Christendom. In India, the concept of the 7-day week has ancient roots. The earliest written evidence of the 7-day week in India comes from the 6th century work of Varahamihira, a polymath and astronomer from Ujjain. An earlier work, the Garga Samhita, is also believed to have mentioned this 7-day week, although it is difficult to date accurately due to the oral tradition that existed before the Hindu civilization started recording everything in writing.

Integration of the 7-day Week with Hindu Observances

While the concept of the 7-day week has been part of Hindu tradition for a long time, the methods of determining the days of the week vary. In India, the 7-day week has been adopted for secular and governmental purposes, including government paperwork, national days, and work-related purposes. However, Hindu religious functions follow various calendars, such as the Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, and Telugu calendars.

Examples of Different Calendar Systems in Hinduism

For religious purposes, different groups of Hindus use different markers to celebrate the same events. For example, the birth of Krishna is mostly celebrated on the 8th day of the lunar cycle (Ashtami). However, some celebrate it on the day of the star Rohini, which may not match the Ashtami in the tropical calendar. This celebration arises from the belief that Krishna was born under the star Rohini on the Ashtami. Both groups use the same calendar system but use different markers to pinpoint the celebration date.

The Case of Islam in India

Similarly, Muslims in India use the Islamic calendar, a lunar-based system, for their religious events. They follow the Gregorian calendar for secular events such as Independence Day. This dual system of determining dates for religious and secular purposes is common in many cultures, reflecting both cultural heritage and practical compromises.

Conclusion

While the concept of the 7-day week is part of the Gregorian calendar, its adoption in India, especially among Hindus, is not due to the Gregorian calendar's influence but rather the historical and cultural evolution of timekeeping. The integration of different calendar systems within the same religion or culture highlights the flexibility and adaptability of timekeeping practices across different communities.