Have you ever wondered why the Hindu calendar seems so fond of the number 12?

From hours in a day to months in a year, 12 pops up frequently.

Here's a fascinating peek into the reasons behind this, thanks to some clever astronomical observations by our ancestors!


A question to Gemini AI By Google.

Why there are 12 hours, 12 months, 12 nakshatra, 12 Rashi in Hindu calander from ancient time, what was the conclusion of 12 and why it's 12.


Gemini:

Astrology and Observation:

A big influence comes from the sky. The Babylonians, who influenced early Hindu astronomy, used a base-12 system, which may have played a role. Additionally, daytime itself is roughly 12 hours on average throughout the year, making it a natural unit for timekeeping.

Lunar Cycles:

The Hindu calendar considers both the moon and the sun. The moon cycle (its phases) lasts about 29.5 days. Twelve lunar months come close to a solar year (365.25 days), but not quite. Intercalary months are added to account for this difference.

Nakshatras and Rashis:

These are fancy terms for constellations and the zodiac. The nakshatras (27 lunar mansions) divide the moon's path, while the rashis (12 zodiac signs) divide the sun's path (ecliptic) into 12 equal sections. The connection to 12?

The full moon appears near specific constellations each month, giving them their names.
Dividing the moon's path (27 nakshatras) into 12 reflects the sun's path (12 rashis) over a year. This brilliant system tracks both lunar and solar cycles!

So, the number 12 in the Hindu calendar stems from a blend of astronomical observations and possibly the influence of older number systems. It's a testament to our ancestors' ingenuity in creating a framework to track time and celestial cycles!