Lunar Months

In Vedic astrology, lunar months, also known as Masas, are defined by the conjunction of the Sun and Moon, marking the New Moon or Amavasya. Each lunar month corresponds to the zodiac sign (rasi) where the Sun and Moon conjunct, and this determines the name of the month. The lunar cycle is approximately 29-30 days, and there are 12 main lunar months, which align closely with the tropical months but follow the sidereal zodiac system.

Here’s an overview of the lunar months with their approximate Gregorian equivalents:

Chaitra: March-April (Pisces)
Vaisakha: April-May (Aries)
Jyeshtha: May-June (Taurus)
Ashadha: June-July (Gemini)
Shravana: July-August (Cancer)
Bhadrapada: August-September (Leo)
Ashwin: September-October (Virgo)
Kartika: October-November (Libra)
Margashirsha: November-December (Scorpio)
Pausha: December-January (Sagittarius)
Magha: January-February (Capricorn)
Phalguna: February-March (Aquarius)
An extra month, known as Adhika Masa, occasionally occurs when two Sun-Moon conjunctions happen in the same zodiac sign within one lunar year. This adjustment helps align the lunar calendar with the solar year, occurring approximately once every three years.

These lunar months play a significant role in Vedic rituals, festivals, and personal astrological assessments, as each month carries specific energetic influences based on the rasi of the conjunction.