For the people of India, time has always been measured in a spiritual and scientific calendar called the Panchang. Chronicling five thousand years of Indian civilisation, the Panchang lists festivals that honour and celebrate the gods and legends of India. It evokes the universe through mathematical calulations that predict weather, events, epidemics and personal fortune.

For Hindus, the Gregorian calendar is a new meaning of time introduced and instituted by the British in India. While the Gregorian calendar is still used by the people and government of India, the Panchang has always been the spiritual expression of time fo HIndus and a guide to a life close to God and religion.

The panchang measures time in lunar months whose names reveal the secret path of stars and constellations. The face of the new moon (Aamvasya) ushers in a new month.

The first fortnight of the full moon is known as Shuklapaksha, ' the bright half ', as the moon waxes. Full moon, Poornima marks the end of Shuklapaksha.

Krishnapaksha is the dark half fortnight of the month during which the moon wanes.

The Panchang lists four weeks of seven days, identified with planets and gods.

Encompassing the evolution of the universe, the Panchang is much more than the meaning of time in India. For Hindus, it is the essence of religion and living, which predicts the spiritual path of people on a journey towards god.