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Lesson 7 of 13

Calendars people use

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6 min

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Diwali is in October one year and November the next. The Gregorian date, the date on the usual calendar, keeps moving. Why?

A solar calendar matches the solar year.
Step 1 of 3
  1. A solar calendar matches the solar year.
  2. A lunar calendar falls short every year.
  3. A luni-solar calendar adds a month some years.

New word

  • Luni-solar — following the Moon, with a month added to fit the seasons.

The rule

Diwali follows Moon months. The Gregorian year follows the Sun. So Diwali's date moves.

A lunar calendar follows the Moon. A solar calendar follows the seasons. A calendar follows the Moon. It adds an extra month every few years. That keeps it in step with the seasons.

Kinds of calendar
CalendarKind
GregorianSolar
Indian National CalendarSolar
Islamic (Hijri) calendarLunar
Hindu festival calendarsLuni-solar

Sort each fact by its kind of calendar.

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