Vikram Samvat
Vikram Samvat is the Hindu calendar era most used in North and West India. Its year number runs 56 or 57 ahead of the Gregorian year and, in most regions, turns at Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.
Also known as: Vikrami Samvat, Bikram Sambat, Vikrama era
Vikram Samvat counts years from 57 BCE, an era traditionally linked with King Vikramaditya of Ujjain. To convert, add 57 to the Gregorian year after the Samvat new year, and 56 before it. The year follows the lunar months of the panchang, with an Adhik maas added when needed.
Across most of North India the new year begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the day after the new moon of Chaitra. In Gujarat, the Vikram Samvat year begins instead on Kartika Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali, so for part of the year the Gujarati count is one behind.
Nepal’s official calendar, Bikram Sambat, shares the era but uses solar months and begins in mid-April. When two calendars disagree, check which new-year rule and which month system each one follows.