The Indian Calendar

Sadhana Pada

Guru Pournami is the first full moon in Dakshinayana, and marks. the day when Shiva the  became the Adi Guru or first Guru.

"Unlike modern calendars that ignore human experience in relation to the planetary. movement, the Indian lunisolar calendar takes account the experience and impact that is happening to the human being. It connects you with the movements of the planet."

Mahalaya Amavasya is the first new moon after the autumn equinox. Dussehra, which celebrates the divine feminine begins on the next day.

Winter Solstice (December 22):

Marks the shift from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana. It is the beginning of the gnana pada or the period of flowering.

Gnana Pada

Summer Solstice (June 21): Marks the shift from Uttarayana to Dakshinayana. It is the beginning of the sadhana pada or the period of striving.

Buddha Pournami celebrates the day of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment.

The 21 days after Ugadi are the warmest in the Northern hemisphere.

The spring and autumn equinoxes (March 21, September 23) mark a point when a sadhaka can bring balance to one's system. The Devi Pada begins from the autumn equinox.

Mahashivarathri is one of the most spiritually significant nights, when nature creates anatural upsurge of energies.

Manni Amavasya is the new moon that comes before Mahashivarathri. Yogis frequently maintain Maun or silence till Mahashivarathri.