Vikram Samvat Today: Hindu Calendar Year, Origin & How to Convert
What विक्रम संवत आज is, how the era started in 57 BCE, and how to read today's Hindu calendar year, month and tithi.
By Indian Date Today Editorial ·
Vikram Samvat (विक्रम संवत; also searched as विक्रम सावंत) is the Hindu calendar used across North India and Nepal's related Bikram Sambat. Learn today's VS year, how it originated in 57 BCE, and how to convert Vikram Samvat to the Gregorian date.
Origins and Historical Foundation
The Vikram Samvat era is named after the legendary Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain, who instituted this era in 57 BCE to commemorate his decisive victory over the Saka invaders. In Hindi it is विक्रम संवत (often typed विक्रम सावंत). It is a lunisolar calendar that tracks both the phases of the Moon (for months and Tithis) and the position of the Sun (for seasonal alignment). When people search “Vikram Samvat today” they usually want the current VS year, Hindu month, paksha and tithi — not only the history.
How Vikram Samvat Months Work
The Vikram Samvat year consists of 12 lunar months, starting with Chaitra (March-April). Each month is divided into two fortnights (Pakshas): Shukla Paksha (bright/waxing phase) and Krishna Paksha (dark/waning phase). To keep the lunar year aligned with the solar tropical year of ~365.24 days, an extra leap month called Adhik Maas (Purushottam Maas) is inserted roughly every 32.5 months.
| Month Number | Vikram Samvat Month | Gregorian Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaitra | March – April |
| 2 | Vaisakha | April – May |
| 3 | Jyeshtha | May – June |
| 4 | Ashadha | June – July |
| 5 | Shravana | July – August |
| 6 | Bhadrapada | August – September |
| 7 | Ashwin | September – October |
| 8 | Kartika | October – November |
| 9 | Margashirsha | November – December |
| 10 | Pausha | December – January |
| 11 | Magha | January – February |
| 12 | Phalguna | February – March |
Converting Vikram Samvat to Gregorian Year
Because Vikram Samvat began in 57 BCE, its year count is ahead of the Gregorian calendar by 56 or 57 years: - From Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (March/April) to December: Add 57 to the Gregorian year. (e.g. 2026 + 57 = VS 2083) - From January to Chaitra New Year: Add 56 to the Gregorian year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: विक्रम संवत आज क्या है?
Open the Vikram Samvat calendar page on Indian Date Today for today's VS year, Hindu month, paksha and tithi. विक्रम सावंत is the same calendar — a common spelling of विक्रम संवत.
Q: What is the year according to the Hindu calendar?
The Hindu calendar year in most of India is Vikram Samvat. In 2026 CE it is VS 2083 after Chaitra New Year (add 57 to the Gregorian year from Chaitra to December, or 56 from January until the new year).
Q: Is Vikram Samvat older than the Gregorian calendar?
Yes, Vikram Samvat is 57 years older than the Gregorian calendar. When it is 2026 CE, the Vikram Samvat year is 2083.
Q: Where is Vikram Samvat used today?
It is the official national calendar of Nepal (as Bikram Sambat) and is universally used across North, West, and Central India for determining religious fasts, festivals, and auspicious dates.