Indian Calendar 2009

Hindu Calendar is based on the moon. Each of the 12 months is divided into a "bright half" (shukla paksha- from the new moon to the full moon), and a "dark half" (krishna paksha- from the full moon to the next new moon). The months are 29 or 30 days long, resulting in a year of 354 days. The Western Calendar is based on sun and has 365 days. To bring the two calendars into line, an extra month is added for every few years.