Samvat

Samvat is a term used in the Indian subcontinent to designate an era or year count within traditional lunisolar calendars. The word comes from Sanskrit and means an era, year, or age. In practice, Samvat names the starting point of a calendar era and the successive years that follow.

The most widely known Samvat systems are Vikram Samvat, Shaka Samvat, and Nepal Sambat. Vikram Samvat, associated with King Vikramaditya, begins in 57 BCE and is commonly used in parts of India and Nepal for religious and cultural dating. Shaka Samvat, tied to the Shaka era, begins in 78 CE and is used in several Indian calendars. Nepal Sambat is a separate Nepalese calendar that started in 879 CE and is observed in Nepal alongside other local calendars. Each system has its own epoch, and year numbers are counted from that epoch, producing different year values for the same Gregorian year.

Usage and cultural role vary by region. Samvat years appear in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist almanacs and ephemerides, affecting the dating of festivals, auspicious events, and religious observances. They also inform astrological calculations and traditional record-keeping. In contemporary practice, many communities in India and Nepal continue to reference Samvat in daily life, while civil administration often uses the Gregorian calendar or regional solar calendars for official dates.

Historically, Samvat calendars reflect historical dynastic and cultural influences, with their year counts linked to distinctive starting points rather than a single universal calendar. As a result, multiple Samvat systems coexist, each serving its community’s religious and cultural needs.