The Odia calendar (Odia: ପାଞ୍ଜି Pāñji) is a solar calendar used by the Odia people from the Odisha region of the Indian subcontinent. The calendar follows the sidereal solar cycle while using the lunar Purnimanta phase for the religious dates.[1] The New Year in the Odia calendar is known as Maha Bishuba Sankranti or Pana Sankranti. It occurs on the first day of the traditional solar month of Meṣa (Georgian: Aries), hence equivalent lunar month Baisakha (odia: ବୈଶାଖ). The Odia calendar follows the Utkaliya era, which began on Bhādra śukla dvādaśī from 592 CE.[2]

New Year and Era

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As per the sidereal solar cycle followed by the Odia Panjika, the first day of the year or New Year falls on Mesa Sankranti (Sun-crossing into Sidereal Aries) in Mid-April. The Odia New Year festival is known as Pana Sankranti (Odia: ପଣା ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି) or Maha Bishuba Sankranti (Odia: ମହା ବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି).[3]

The Utkaliya era (Odia: ଉତ୍କଳୀୟ Utkaḷiya) for the Odia calendar began on 592 CE on Bhādra sukḷa dvādasi (the 12th day of the full moon fortnight of the Bhādra month). Bhādra sukla dvādasi is considered to be the birthday of the legendary king Indradyumna who set up the icon of Lord Jagannath (Neela Madhava) at Puri.[4][5] The epoch seems to correspond to the reign of the legendary early Somavamshis (Kesaris) as per the chronicle Madala Panji, thus implying the era was instituted by King Yayati I of the Somavamshi dynasty.[6]

Thus the Era calendar new year falls on the 12th day of the full moon fortnight or the waxing moon lunar phase of the Bhādra month in September. This day is termed as the Odia financial New Year and is known as the festival of Sunia (Odia: ସୁନିଆଁ suniā̃) which denotes the start of the beginning of the new financial calendar year for the collection of revenue, publishing of almanacs and the palm-leaf horoscopes carrying the reigning year of the Gajapati King. Post-1947, it has been reduced as a ceremonial day and is mostly used in the Panji calendars to denote the change of Odia calendar year for records and horoscopes.[7][8][9]

New Year Date
New Year Odia month Gregorian Cycle
Odia New Year
(Pana Sankranti/Maha Bishuba Sankranti)
୧ ବୈଶାଖ (ମେଷ)
1 Baiśākha (Meṣa)
14 April
13 April (Gregorian leap year)
Solar
Odia financial New Year
(Sunia)
ଭାଦ୍ର ଶୁକ୍ଳ ଦ୍ୱାଦଶୀ
Bhādra Śukḷa Dwādaśī
12th day of Waxing Moon (Full moon) phase
varies, September Lunar
Odia year Shaka year Vikrami year Gregorian year
୧୪୩୦ ଉତ୍କଳାବ୍ଦ/ଉତ୍କଳୀୟ ସନ
1430 Utkaḷābda/Utkaḷiya San
1944 Śakābda 2079 Vikram Samvat 2022 CE

Anka year

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The Anka year (Odia: ଅଙ୍କ Aṅka) system is a unique regnal year system instituted by the Eastern Ganga kings for dating their reigns. It had a number of features that mark the regnal year different from that actual duration of the year elapsed during the reign. The system still survives today and is used in the Odia panjis to mark the titular regnal year of the King of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of the Puri Estate, whose title carries the legacy of historical ruling monarchs of Odisha.[10][11]

Features:

  • The Anka system always starts on the Odia financial new year called Sunia which falls on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of the month Bhadra (August–September) known as Bhādra Sukḷa Dwādasi. If the king accedes the throne for a few days before this date, then the first year of his reign would then just be a few days long.
  • Coins were minted on the date of the new year, and hence the first coins were given the Anka year 2, the number 1 was not used.
  • All years ending in 6 were skipped. As in the Anka year 5 was followed by Anka year 7, Anka year 15 was followed by Anka year 17 and so on.
  • All years ending in 0 were also skipped, except for the Anka year 10.

Hence no Anka years exist for 1, 6, 16, 20, 26, 30, 36, 40, 46, 50, 56, and so on.

Timeline of actual Regnal year and Anka year (shown till regnal year 30)
Regnal year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Anka year 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37
Regnal & Anka year of Gajapati king of Puri
(titular reign since 7 July 1970)
Gregorian year Regnal year Odia year Anka year
2022 CE 52 ୧୪୩୦ ଉତ୍କଳାବ୍ଦ
1430 Utkaḷābda
୬୫ ଅଙ୍କ
65 Aṅka

Panji

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Madala Panji (Odia: ମାଦଳ ପାଞ୍ଜି) is a chronicle of the Jagannath Temple, Puri in Odisha. It describes the historical events of Odisha related to Jagannath and the Jagannath Temple. The Madala Panji dates from the 12th century and was traditionally written on a year-to-year basis on Vijayadashami Day by the Karanas community. The tradition of keeping this chronicle began with Eastern Ganga king Anantavarman Chodaganga (1077–1150).

The modern Odia calendar begins with the scientific reforms initiated by the astronomer Pathani Samanta. His findings which included astronomical observations with the help of traditional instruments were recorded in his treatise Siddhanta Darpana written on palm-leaf manuscript in 1869 and eventually published in 1899. These observations were instrumental in the preparation of almanacs in Odisha especially by the astrologers of the Jagannath temple at Puri.[12] The prominent Panjis of this tradition include:

  • Khadiratna Panjika
  • Samanta Panjika
  • Biraja Panjika

Other notable Odia Panji calendars include Kohinoor Panji, Biraja Panji(Nanda), Radharaman Panji(based on Puri tradition Panjis), Bhagyadeepa Panji, Bhagyajyoti Panji, Bhagyachakra Panji.[13]

Months

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Odia (Lunar)
ମାସ māsa
Days Odia (Solar)
ରାଶି rāsi
Zodiac Sign Gregorian
ବୈଶାଖ
Baiśākha
31 ମେଷ
Mesa
Aries   April–May
ଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠ
Jyeṣṭha
31 ବୃଷ
Brusa
Taurus   May–June
ଆଷାଢ଼
Āṣāḍha
32 ମିଥୁନ
Mithuna
Gemini   June–July
ଶ୍ରାବଣ
Śrābaṇa
31 କର୍କଟ
Karkaṭa
Cancer   July–August
ଭାଦ୍ରବ/ଭାଦ୍ର
Bhādraba/Bhādra
31 ସିଂହ
Singha
Leo   August–September
ଆଶ୍ୱିନ
Āświna
31 କନ୍ୟା
Kanyā
Virgo   September–October
କାର୍ତ୍ତିକ
Kārttika
30 ତୁଳା
Tuḷā
Libra   October–November
ମାର୍ଗଶିର
Mārgaśira
29 ବିଛା
Bichā
Scorpio   November–December
ପୌଷ
Pauṣa
29 ଧନୁ
Dhanu
Sagittarius   December–January
ମାଘ
Māgha
30 ମକର
Makara
Capricorn   January–February
ଫାଲ୍‌ଗୁନ/ଫଗୁଣ
Phālguna/Phaguṇa
30 କୁମ୍ଭ
Kumbha
Aquarius   February–March
ଚୈତ୍ର
Chaitra
30 ମୀନ
Mina
Pisces   March–April

Days

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The Odia calendar incorporates the seven-day week.

Day (Odia) Celestial object Equivalent Day (Gregorian)
ରବିବାର
Rabibāra
Surya Sun Sunday
ସୋମବାର
Somabāra
Chandra Moon Monday
ମଙ୍ଗଳବାର
Maṅgaḷbāra
Mangala Mars Tuesday
ବୁଧବାର
Budhabāra
Budha Mercury Wednesday
ଗୁରୁବାର
Gurubāra
Brihaspati Jupiter Thursday
ଶୁକ୍ରବାର
Śukrabāra
Shukra Venus Friday
ଶନିବାର
Śanibāra
Shani Saturn Saturday

Seasons

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Odia Rutu
ଋତୁ
Season Odia months Months (Gregorian)
ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମ
Grīṣma
Summer Baiśākha–Jyeṣṭha April–June
ବର୍ଷା
Barṣā
Monsoon Āṣāṛha–Śrābaṇa June–August
ଶରତ
Śarata
Autumn Bhādraba–Āświna August–October
ହେମନ୍ତ
Hemanta
Pre-Winter Kārttika–Mārgaśira October–December
ଶୀତ
Śīta
Winter Pauṣa–Māgha December–February
ବସନ୍ତ
Basanta
Spring Phālguna–Chaitra February–April

Time

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Time Gregorian Units Equivalent
ଦିନ
dina
Day ୧୨ ଘଣ୍ଟା
12 ghaṇṭā
12 hours
ରାତି
rāti
Night ୧୨ ଘଣ୍ଟା
12 ghaṇṭā
12 hours
ଦିବସ
dibasa
Solar day ୨୪ ଘଣ୍ଟା
24 ghaṇṭā
24 hours
୧ ସପ୍ତାହ
1 saptaha
1 week ୭ ଦିନ
7 dina
7 days
୧ ପକ୍ଷ
1 pakṣa
1 fortnight ୧୫ ଦିନ
15 dina
15 days
୧ ବର୍ଷ
1 barṣa
1 year ୩୬୫ ଦିନ
365 dina
365 days
୧ ବର୍ଷ
1 barṣa
1 year ୧୨ ମାସ
12 māsa
12 months
Lunar week
Paksha ପକ୍ଷ (pakhya) Period Lunar phase Days
ଶୁକ୍ଳପକ୍ଷ
śukḷapakṣa
From ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା (Amābāsyā) to ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା (Pūrṇṇima)
New moon to Full moon
Waxing moon 15 days
କୃଷ୍ଣପକ୍ଷ
krushṇapakṣa
From ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା (Pūrṇṇima) to ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା (Amābāsyā)
Full moon to New moon
Waning moon 15 days
Lunar Day
ତିଥି (tithi)
Bright fortnight
ଶୁକ୍ଳପକ୍ଷ (śukḷapakṣa)
Lunar phase Dark fortnight
କୃଷ୍ଣପକ୍ଷ (krushṇapakṣa)
Lunar phase
1 ପ୍ରତିପଦ
pratipada
Waxing Crescent ପ୍ରତିପଦ
pratipada
Waning Gibbous
2 ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟା
dwitīyā
ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟା
dwitīyā
3 ତୃତୀୟା
trutīyā
ତୃତୀୟା
trutīyā
4 ଚତୁର୍ଥୀ
caturthī
ଚତୁର୍ଥୀ
caturthī
5 ପଞ୍ଚମୀ
pañcamī
ପଞ୍ଚମୀ
pañcamī
6 ଷଷ୍ଠୀ
ṣaṣṭhī
ଷଷ୍ଠୀ
ṣaṣṭhī
7 ସପ୍ତମୀ
saptamī
First Quarter ସପ୍ତମୀ
saptamī
Last Quarter
8 ଅଷ୍ଟମୀ
aṣṭamī
ଅଷ୍ଟମୀ
aṣṭamī
9 ନବମୀ
nabamī
Waning Crescent ନବମୀ
nabamī
Waxing Gibbous
10 ଦଶମୀ
daśamī
ଦଶମୀ
daśamī
11 ଏକାଦଶୀ
ekādaśī
ଏକାଦଶୀ
ekādaśī
12 ଦ୍ୱାଦଶୀ
dwādaśī
ଦ୍ୱାଦଶୀ
dwādaśī
13 ତ୍ରୟୋଦଶୀ
trayodaśī
ତ୍ରୟୋଦଶୀ
trayodaśī
14 ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶୀ
caturddaśī
ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶୀ
caturddaśī
15 ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା
pūrṇṇima
Full Moon ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା
amābāsyā
New Moon

Festivals

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Odia and other Indian festivals observed as per Odia calendar:

Months Festivals
Baisākha Pana Sankranti (Maha Bishuba Sankranti)
Jyesṭha Buddha Purnima, Akshaya Tritiya, Sabitri Brata, Sitalsasthi
Āsāḍha Raja Parba, Ratha Jatra
Srābaṇa Gamha Purnima (Raksha Bandhan)
Bhādraba Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Nuakhai, Sunia
Āswina Vishwakarma Puja, Mahalaya, Durga Puja, Dusehra, Kumara Purnima
Kārttika Kali Puja, Dipabali, Jagaddhatri Puja, Boita Bandana, Bali Jatra
Mārgasira Prathamastami, Manabasa Gurubara
Pausa Dhanu jatra, Samba Dashami, Pousha Purnima
Māgha Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami
Phālguna Maha Shivaratri
Chaitra Holi (Dol Purnima), Odisha Day (Utkala Dibasa)

References

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  1. ^ S. Balachandra Rao (2000), Indian Astronomy: An Introduction, Universities Press, p. 44, ISBN 9788173712050
  2. ^ VK Mishra (2010), The Calendars of India, pp. 55, 81, arXiv:1007.0062
  3. ^ Crump, William D. (2014), Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide, MacFarland, page 114
  4. ^ Sankar Balakrishna Dikshit (1896). Bharatiya Jyotish Sastra Part 2. India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  5. ^ Girish Chandra Tarkalankar (1894). Chronological tables from 1764 to 1900. Sreenath Banerjee, Bhowanipore. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  6. ^ Kailash Chandra Dash 2010, p. 165.
  7. ^ "Sunia". puriwaves. 9 September 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  8. ^ Subhash Sahu (2009), Sunia (The Odia Calendar) (PDF), retrieved 5 December 2020
  9. ^ Roland Hardenberg (July 2000), The Anka Ceremony of the King of Puri (India), Journal of Social Sciences, retrieved 5 December 2020
  10. ^ Pankaj Tandon (2012), Tentative Attributions of some Gold Fanams of the Eastern Gangas, BU, retrieved 25 January 2021
  11. ^ Pankaj Tandon (2018), Coins of the Eastern Gangas ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga, BU, retrieved 25 January 2021
  12. ^ Naik, P. C.; Satpathy, L. (1998). "Samanta Chandra Sekhar : The great naked eye astronomer". Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India. 26: 33–49. Bibcode:1998BASI...26...33N.
  13. ^ "Odia calendar". Retrieved 17 November 2020.

Bibliography

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  • Kailash Chandra Dash (2010). "A traditional account on Yayati Keshari: Its formation and historical authenticity". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 71 (2010–2011): 165–178. JSTOR 44147485.
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