Vaishakh 2012 Start & End Date (Vaishakh Maas)
North India (Purnimanta): Saturday, 7 April 2012 – Sunday, 6 May 2012
Amanta regions: Sunday, 22 April 2012 – Sunday, 20 May 2012
The month of Akshaya Tritiya and Buddha Purnima — of holy bathing and endless merit.
Vaishakh 2012 at a Glance
- Vaishakh Shivratri
- Fri, 20 Apr
- Purnima
- Sun, 6 May
- Amavasya
- Sat, 21 Apr
- Vaishakh Shivratri
- Sat, 19 May
- Purnima
- Sun, 6 May
- Amavasya
- Sun, 20 May
The significance of Vaishakh — Lord Vishnu (Madhusudan)
Vaishakh is a month of water and merit, worshipped to Vishnu as Madhusudan. Its Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days of the year — whatever is begun, given or bought on it is held never to diminish. It closes on Buddha Purnima, the full moon that marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, and the pre-dawn Vaishakh snan runs through it.
Rituals of Vaishakh
- Vaishakh snan — a daily holy dip through the month
- Akshaya Tritiya — beginnings, gold and dana
- Water, sattu and cooling foods offered in dana
- Sita Navami and Narasimha Jayanti vrats
- Buddha Purnima worship and bathing
- Fasting on Varuthini and Mohini Ekadashi
Key days in Vaishakh 2012
Vrat and tithi dates follow whichever month window your calendar uses, so both systems are listed separately below.
North India · Purnimanta
Sat, 7 Apr – Sun, 6 May · 30 days
Amanta regions
Sun, 22 Apr – Sun, 20 May · 29 days
Festivals in Vaishakh 2012
Within the Purnimanta window (Sat, 7 Apr – Sun, 6 May). Festivals are fixed by tithi, so each falls on the same civil day in both systems.
Also inside Amanta Vaishakh (Sun, 22 Apr – Sun, 20 May)
Monthly vrats 2012
Vaishakh 2012 — Frequently Asked Questions
When does Vaishakh Maas 2012 start?
In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Vaishakh runs from Saturday, 7 April 2012 to Sunday, 6 May 2012. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Sunday, 22 April 2012 to Sunday, 20 May 2012.
Why do Vaishakh dates differ in North and South India?
Because the two regions follow different lunar calendars. In the Purnimanta calendar (North India) a month ends on the Purnima, so it starts about 15 days earlier than in Amanta. In the Amanta calendar (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) the month runs new-moon to new-moon.
Which deity is Vaishakh 2012 dedicated to?
Vaishakh is a month of water and merit, worshipped to Vishnu as Madhusudan. Its Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days of the year — whatever is begun, given or bought on it is held never to diminish. It closes on Buddha Purnima, the full moon that marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, and the pre-dawn Vaishakh snan runs through it.
When is Vaishakh Shivratri 2012?
Vaishakh Shivratri 2012 — the Masik Shivaratri of Vaishakh Maas, observed on the Krishna Chaturdashi — falls on Friday, 20 April 2012 in North India (Purnimanta). In Amanta regions it falls on Saturday, 19 May 2012. Night worship and jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam are traditional on this day.
When does Vaishakh 2012 end?
In North India (Purnimanta) Vaishakh ends on Sunday, 6 May 2012, on the Purnima. In Amanta regions it ends on Sunday, 20 May 2012, on the Amavasya.
Are Vaishakh and Vaishakh Maas the same month?
Yes. Vaishakh Maas is the Sanskrit name of this lunar month and Vaishakh is the everyday Hindi form of the same word. They refer to the same period — different names, not different dates.
Is Vaishakh 2012 an Adhik Maas?
No. Vaishakh 2012 is a normal 30-day month.