Calendars, Festivals & Geographical Indications (GI Tags) of India
Indian Calendar Systems
Indian Calendar Systems
| Vikram Samvat (57 BCE) | - Founded by King Vikramaditya to commemorate victory over Shakas - Luni-Solar calendar; new year starts with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (following new moon) |
| Shaka Samvat (78 CE) | - Founded by Kushan King Kanishka - Luni-Solar calendar; basis of India's official National Calendar |
| Hijri Era (622 CE) | - Purely lunar calendar used in Islamic world; marks migration (*Hijrah*) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina |
| Indian National Calendar (1957) | - Adopted **March 22, 1957** (1 Chaitra 1879 Shaka) on Calendar Reform Committee recommendations - Based on Shaka Era, solar-adjusted; year starts on **Chaitra 1** (March 22 normal year, March 21 leap year) |
Regional Festivals and New Years
Regional Festivals and New Years
| Makar Sankranti & Regional Variants | - Pan-Indian solar festival marking Sun's transition into Capricorn (*Makara rashi*) - Variants: *Pongal* (TN), *Magh Bihu* (Assam), *Lohri* (Punjab), *Uttarayan* (Gujarat) |
| Chhath Puja | - Celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, UP - Dedicated to Sun God (*Surya*) & *Chhathi Maiya* (*Usha*, first sun ray); no idols, standing in water bodies during sunrise/sunset |
| Regional New Years (Luni-Solar Cycles) | - Ugadi: Karnataka, AP, Telangana (first day of Chaitra) - Gudi Padwa: Maharashtra & Goa (silk flag/*Gudi* hoisting) - Vishu: Kerala (ritual viewing of auspicious items at dawn, *Vishukkani*) - Puthandu: Tamil Nadu (first day of Tamil month Chithirai) - Poila Baisakh: West Bengal & Bangladesh - Baisakhi: Punjab (harvest & Khalsa foundation) - Navreh: Kashmir (Kashmiri Pandits New Year) |
| Kumbh Mela (UNESCO Listed) | - Largest peaceful pilgrim congregation; UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage - Held every 12 years by rotation at 4 sacred river locations: - Prayagraj (Allahabad): Triveni Sangam (Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati) - Haridwar: River Ganga - Nashik: River Godavari - Ujjain: River Shipra |
Handicrafts & Geographical Indication (GI) Tags
Handicrafts & Geographical Indication (GI) Tags
| Geographical Indication (GI) System | - Sign on products with specific geographical origin & reputation; GI of Goods Act, 1999 - Valid for **10 years** (renewable); regulated under WTO TRIPS Agreement |
| High-Yield GI Handicrafts Examples | - Madhubani Paintings (Bihar): Mithila art, natural dyes, double borders - Kancheepuram Silk (TN): high-quality silk sarees, heavy gold zari - Chanderi Fabrics (MP): lightweight sheer fabric, gold borders - Blue Pottery (Jaipur): cobalt blue glaze, no clay used - Aranmula Kannadi (Kerala): unique metal-alloy mirror (secret metallurgy) |
UPSC Recall & Traps
UPSC Recall & Traps
| National Calendar Date Trap | - Adopted on **March 22, 1957** (NOT Jan 26, 1950) |
| Vikram vs Shaka Calculation | - Vikram = Gregorian + 57; Shaka = Gregorian - 78 |
| First GI Tag Product | - **Darjeeling Tea** = first GI tag product in India (2004) |
| Kumbh River Matching Trap | - Ujjain = **Shipra** river (NOT Chambal); Nashik = **Godavari** river (NOT Krishna) |
🖼️ Supplemental Asset Directory
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Jagannath Puri: Rath Yatra Heritage:
- Kalamkari Painting (AP):
- Rogan Painting (Gujarat):
- Sohrai Mural (Jharkhand):
