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== Graha Cāra (Path of the Planet) ==

The term Graha Cāra is derived from two Sanskrit words: graha meaning ‘planet’, and cāra meaning ‘path, route, or journey’. Therefore, graha cāra signifies the ‘path/journey of the planet.’ Which planet is being referred to? Considering the consistency with other elements of the dating system, the ‘path of the planet’ refers to the Sun (Sūrya). From a geocentric perspective, the Sun revolves around the Earth, rising in the east and setting in the west, then reappearing in the east the following day, and so on. Thus, graha cāra indicates the daily journey of the Sun over 24 hours (a solar day/wara).<ref>{{cite book

| last1 = Trigangga

| first1 =

| last2 = Wardhani

| first2 = Fifia

| last3 = Retno W.

| first3 = Desrika

| title = Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara

| publisher = Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan

| location = Jakarta

| year = 2015

| url = https://repositori.kemendikdasmen.go.id/24363/1/Prasasti%20dan%20raja-raja%20nusantara.pdf

| page = 23

| language = id

| format = PDF

| access-date = 13 November 2025

}}</ref>

There are eight directions (or positions) that refer to the Sun’s position:

{| class=”wikitable sortable”

|+

! Graha Cāra

! English Name

! Time Range

|-

| Purwāstha

| East

| 04:30 – 07:30

|-

| Aiśānyastha

| Northeast

| 07:30 – 10:30

|-

| Uttarāstha

| North

| 10:30 – 13:30

|-

| Bāyabyastha

| Northwest

| 13:30 – 16:30

|-

| Paścimastha

| West

| 16:30 – 19:30

|-

| Nairītistha

| Southwest

| 19:30 – 22:30

|-

| Dakṣiṇāstha

| South

| 22:30 – 01:30

|-

| Āgneyastha

| Southeast

| 01:30 – 04:30

|}

Since one solar day equals 24 hours, each of these eight positions has a time duration of 3 hours. Because the Sun rises in the east, which marks the start of a new day, the position must begin in the east (Purwāstha), which is approximately from 04:30 to 07:30 in the morning. Therefore, Nairītistha graha cāra means the ‘position of the Sun is in the southwest,’ which corresponds to the time between 19:30 and 22:30 (at night).

=== Zodiac ===

=== Zodiac ===

Unlike the Western (Tropical) zodiac, which uses the Sun as its primary parameter resulting in 12 zodiac signs over the course of a year, the utilization of the zodiac (rāśi) in the Old Javanese calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Consequently, the duration of each zodiac sign in the Old Javanese calendar is significantly shorter. For instance, the Aries zodiac sign (Meṣa) in the Old Javanese calendar begins on November 4, 2025, at 14:05 (2:05 PM) and concludes on November 6, 2025, at 13:17 (1:17 PM).<ref>{{cite web

Unlike the Western (Tropical) zodiac, which uses the Sun as its primary parameter resulting in 12 zodiac signs over the course of a year, the utilization of the zodiac (rāśi) in the Old Javanese calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Consequently, the duration of each zodiac sign in the Old Javanese calendar is significantly shorter. For instance, the Aries zodiac sign (Meṣa) in the Old Javanese calendar begins on November 4, 2025, at 14:05 (2:05 PM) and concludes on November 6, 2025, at 13:17 (1:17 PM).<ref>{{cite web

Ancient Javanese dating system

Old Javanese calendar (or Ancient Javanese calendar) was a dating system previously used in inscriptions from various kingdom eras, starting from the Medang Kingdom up to the Majapahit Empire. This dating system was widely used, particularly for writing inscriptions in Java and Bali. Unlike the present-day Javanese and Balinese calendar system, the Old Javanese calendar incorporates a greater number of chronological elements (features more dating components)[1] However, the Balinese calendar continues to follow the year number system derived from the Old Javanese calendar.[2] It can be said that the Old Javanese calendar is a synthesis of the Hindu Indian calendar and pre-existing indigenous Javanese calendrical traditions.

Calendar Component

Year

The year (which in Old Javanese is referred to as Warsa) in the Old Javanese dating system often utilizes the Saka Year; however, some existing inscriptions show the use of the Sanjaya Year in their chronology.[3]

Month

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/cd/Chandramana_Masa_and_Paksha.webm/Chandramana_Masa_and_Paksha.webm.480p.vp9.webm
Animation that illustrates Māsa.

The month, which in Old Javanese is referred to as Wulan or Masa, was written in ancient inscriptions using names derived from Sanskrit months. The names of the months listed in these inscriptions are: Caitra, Waiśākha, Jyeṣṭha, Āṣāḍha, Śrāvaṇa, Bhādrapāda, Āśvina (or Āśuji), Kārttika, Mārgaśīrṣa, Pauṣa (or Poṣya), Māgha, and Phālguna. The Old Javanese calendar had years that consisted of either twelve or thirteen months. The system itself utilized a solar year for calculating one year, while the months were calculated using lunar movements, making it a lunisolar system.[4]

Example Chart of Intercalary Months in the Saka Calendar (2020–2037)[5]
Western Year (Approx.) Saka Year Number of Months Intercalary Month Added (IAST)
2020 1942 13 Āśvina
2021 1943 12 —
2022 1944 12 —
2023 1945 13 Śrāvaṇa
2024 1946 12 —
2025 1947 12 —
2026 1948 13 Jyeṣṭha
2027 1949 12 —
2028 1950 12 —
2029 1951 13 Caitra
2030 1952 12 —
2031 1953 13 Bhādrapada
2032 1954 12 —
2033 1955 12 —
2034 1956 13 Āṣāḍha
2035 1957 12 —
2036 1958 12 —
2037 1959 13 Jyeṣṭha

Titi (Lunar Day) and Paksa (Lunar Fortnight)

Phases of the Moon. New moon called Pañcadaśī Kṛṣṇapakṣa, full moon called Pañcadaśī Śuklapakṣa

The 30 Titis are grouped into two halves called Paksas (lunar fortnights)[6].

Tithi (Lunar Day) Names
Tithi Number Śuklapakṣa (Waxing Fortnight) Kṛṣṇapakṣa (Waning Fortnight)
1 Pratipadā Pratipadā
2 Dvitīyā Dvitīyā
3 Tṛtīyā Tṛtīyā
4 Caturthī Caturthī
5 Pañcamī Pañcamī
6 Ṣaṣṭhī Ṣaṣṭhī
7 Saptamī Saptamī
8 Aṣṭamī Aṣṭamī
9 Navamī Navamī
10 Daśamī Daśamī
11 Ekādaśī Ekādaśī
12 Dvādaśī Dvādaśī
13 Trayodaśī Trayodaśī
14 Caturdaśī Caturdaśī
15 Pañcadaśī (Full Moon) Pañcadaśī (New Moon)

Note on Tithi 15: The 15th Tithi is called Pūrṇimā (Full Moon) in Śuklapakṣa and Amāvasyā (New Moon/Dark Moon) in Kṛṣṇapakṣa.

Karana

Karana (sometimes write Karaṇa) is a half lunar day, equivalent to half a tithi.A full lunar month is composed of 60 karaṇas, but only 11 distinct names are used.

The 11 names of the Karaṇa are: Kiṃstughna, Vava, Valava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vaṇija, Viṣṭi, Śakuni, Catuṣpāda, and Nāga.

The first karaṇa ends at the midpoint of the tithi, and the second karaṇa ends when the tithi is completed.

The naming convention is as follows:

  1. The first tithi (1st śuklapakṣa) begins with the Kiṃstughna karaṇa and ends with the Vava karaṇa.
  2. The second tithi (2nd śuklapakṣa) up to the 29th tithi (14th kṛṣṇapakṣa) consists of a combination of the paired karaṇas: Vava, Valava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vaṇija, and Viṣṭi.
  3. The second karaṇa of the 29th tithi is Śakuni. Subsequently, the last tithi (15th kṛṣṇapakṣa) begins with the Catuṣpāda karaṇa and ends with the Nāga karaṇa. [7]

Days

A day, or Wāra in Old Javanese dating terminology, is a unit of time that begins at sunrise and lasts until the next sunrise. In the Old Javanese dating system, the day (wara) is organized into several concurrent cycles: the 5-day cycle (Pancawara), the 6-day cycle (Sadwara), and the 7-day cycle (Saptawara).[8]

Five Day Cycle (Pancawara)

Comparison of Pancawara Names
Pasaran (Pancawara) Old Javanese Name
Legi Umanis
Paing Pahing
Pon Pon
Wagé Wagai
Kliwon Kaliwwan

Sadwara (Six Day Cycle)

The 6-Day Cycle (Sadwara)[9]
No. Paringkelan/Sadwara Name
1 Tunglé
2 Aryang
3 Wurukung
4 Paningron
5 Uwas
6 Mawulu

Saptawara (Seven Day Cycle)

The 7-Day Cycle (Saptawara)
No. Day (Saptawara) Old Javanese Name
1. Sunday Raditya/Aditya
2. Monday Soma
3. Tuesday Anggara
4. Wednesday Buda
5. Thursday Wraspati
6. Friday Sukra
7. Saturday Tumpak/Saniscara

Wuku

The use of the Pasaran/Pancawara (5-day cycle) and Wuku (210-day cycle) remains common today, particularly in calendars circulated throughout the Java region.

The Wuku is a chronological cycle derived from the combination of the Sadwāra (6-day cycle), Pañcawāra (5-day cycle), and Saptawāra (7-day cycle). This combination results in a 210-day cycle, which occurs once or twice a year. The 210-day cycle is grouped into 30 distinct wuku, with each wuku lasting 7 days and defined by a unique combination of the three aforementioned week cycles. Along with Sadwāra and Pañcawāra, the wuku is believed to be an indigenous Javanese dating element. For example, the date “Ma Ka Bu” (Mawulu Kliwon Budha) marks the 144th day in the 210-day cycle and belongs to Wuku Mahatal (the 21st wuku).[10]

Starting Days of the 30 Wuku (210-Day Cycle)[11]
No. Wuku Name Starting Day
(of 210-Day Cycle) 		Saptawara
(7-day cycle) 		Sadwara
(6-day cycle: Paringkelan) 		Pancawara
(5-day cycle: Pasaran)
1 Sinta 1 Sunday Tunglé Pahing
2 Landep 8 Sunday Aryang Wagé
3 Wukir 15 Sunday Wurukung Legi
4 Kurantil 22 Sunday Paningron Pon
5 Tolu 29 Sunday Uwas Kliwon
6 Gumbrèg 36 Sunday Mawulu Pahing
7 Wariga ning Wariga (Warigalit) 43 Sunday Tunglé Wagé
8 Wariga (Warigagung) 50 Sunday Aryang Legi
9 Julung Wangi 57 Sunday Wurukung Pon
10 Sungsang 64 Sunday Paningron Kliwon
11 Dungulan (Galungan) 71 Sunday Uwas Pahing
12 Kuningan 78 Sunday Mawulu Wagé
13 Langkir 85 Sunday Tunglé Legi
14 Madasih (Mandasiya) 92 Sunday Aryang Pon
15 Julung Pujut 99 Sunday Wurukung Kliwon
16 Pahang 106 Sunday Paningron Pahing
17 Kuruwulut 113 Sunday Uwas Wagé
18 Marakih (Marakeh) 120 Sunday Mawulu Legi
19 Tambir 127 Sunday Tunglé Pon
20 Madangkungan 134 Sunday Aryang Kliwon
21 Mahatal (Maktal) 141 Sunday Wurukung Pahing
22 Wuyai (Wuye) 148 Sunday Paningron Wagé
23 Manahil 155 Sunday Uwas Legi
24 Prangbakat 162 Sunday Mawulu Pon
25 Bala 169 Sunday Tunglé Kliwon
26 Wugu 176 Sunday Aryang Pahing
27 Wayang 183 Sunday Wurukung Wagé
28 Kulawu 190 Sunday Paningron Legi
29 Dukut 197 Sunday Uwas Pon
30 Watu Gunung 204 Sunday Mawulu Kliwon

Time Unit

Muhūrtta (sometimes write Muhurta, Muhurtta) is the smallest unit of time in the Old Javanese dating system. One solar day (wāra) is divided into 30 muhūrtta. Thus, one muhūrtta is equivalent to 48 minutes.[12]

Muhūrtta Time Calculation (Assuming Sunrise at 06:00)
Muhūrtta 1–15 (Daytime) Muhūrtta 16–30 (Nighttime)
No. Name Time Range No. Name Time Range
1. Rudra 06:00 – 06:48 16. Giriśa 18:00 – 18:48
2. Āhi 06:48 – 07:36 17. Ājapāda 18:48 – 19:36
3. Mitra 07:36 – 08:24 18. Āhiir Budnya 19:36 – 20:24
4. Pitṛ 08:24 – 09:12 19. Pusya 20:24 – 21:12
5. Wasu 09:12 – 10:00 20. Āświni 21:12 – 22:00
6. Wārāha 10:00 – 10:48 21. Yama 22:00 – 22:48
7. Wiśwedewā 10:48 – 11:36 22. Āgni 22:48 – 23:36
8. Widi 11:36 – 12:24 23. Widātr 23:36 – 00:24
9. Sutamukī 12:24 – 13:12 24. Kanda 00:24 – 01:12
10. Puruhūta 13:12 – 14:00 25. Āditi 01:12 – 02:00
11. Wāhinī 14:00 – 14:48 26. Jīwa 02:00 – 02:48
12. Naktanakarā 14:48 – 15:36 27. Wiṣṇu 02:48 – 03:36
13. Waruṇa 15:36 – 16:24 28. Dyumadgadyuti 03:36 – 04:24
14. Āryyamana 16:24 – 17:12 29. Brahma 04:24 – 05:12
15. Baga 17:12 – 18:00 30. Samudra 05:12 – 06:00

Graha Cāra (Path of the Planet)

The term Graha Cāra is derived from two Sanskrit words: graha meaning ‘planet’, and cāra meaning ‘path, route, or journey’. Therefore, graha cāra signifies the ‘path/journey of the planet.’ Which planet is being referred to? Considering the consistency with other elements of the dating system, the ‘path of the planet’ refers to the Sun (Sūrya). From a geocentric perspective, the Sun revolves around the Earth, rising in the east and setting in the west, then reappearing in the east the following day, and so on. Thus, graha cāra indicates the daily journey of the Sun over 24 hours (a solar day/wara).[13]

There are eight directions (or positions) that refer to the Sun’s position:

Graha Cāra English Name Time Range
Purwāstha East 04:30 – 07:30
Aiśānyastha Northeast 07:30 – 10:30
Uttarāstha North 10:30 – 13:30
Bāyabyastha Northwest 13:30 – 16:30
Paścimastha West 16:30 – 19:30
Nairītistha Southwest 19:30 – 22:30
Dakṣiṇāstha South 22:30 – 01:30
Āgneyastha Southeast 01:30 – 04:30

Since one solar day equals 24 hours, each of these eight positions has a time duration of 3 hours. Because the Sun rises in the east, which marks the start of a new day, the position must begin in the east (Purwāstha), which is approximately from 04:30 to 07:30 in the morning. Therefore, Nairītistha graha cāra means the ‘position of the Sun is in the southwest,’ which corresponds to the time between 19:30 and 22:30 (at night).

Zodiac

Unlike the Western (Tropical) zodiac, which uses the Sun as its primary parameter resulting in 12 zodiac signs over the course of a year, the utilization of the zodiac (rāśi) in the Old Javanese calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Consequently, the duration of each zodiac sign in the Old Javanese calendar is significantly shorter. For instance, the Aries zodiac sign (Meṣa) in the Old Javanese calendar begins on November 4, 2025, at 14:05 (2:05 PM) and concludes on November 6, 2025, at 13:17 (1:17 PM).[14]

The Twelve Zodiac Signs (Rāśi)
No. Old Javanese Name English Name
1 Meṣa Aries
2 Wṛṣabha Taurus
3 Mithuna Gemini
4 Karkaṭa Cancer
5 Siṅha Leo
6 Kanyā Virgo
7 Tulā Libra
8 Wṛścika/Mṛcchika Scorpio
9 Dhanu Sagittarius
10 Makara Capricorn
11 Kumbha Aquarius
12 Mīna Pisces

Example of the chronological notation (calendar element) used in inscriptions.

Analysis of Chronological Notation in Inscription Transcript
No. Inscription Transcript Calendar Element
1. / 0 / i śaka ; 1214 ; jyeṣṭa māsa irika diwaśani Month (Māsa)
2. kamoktan pāduka bhaṭāra sang lumah ring śiwa buddha /’/’ swa- —
3. sti śrī śaka warṣatīta ; 1273 ; weśakamāsa tithi pratipā- Year (warṣa), Tithi (Lunar Day), Month (Māsa)
4. # da śuklapakṣa ; ha ; po ; bu ; wara ; tolu ; niritistha graha- Fortnight (Pakṣa), Day Cycle (Wara), Wuku
5. cara ; mṛgāśira nakṣatra ; śāśidewata ; bāyabyamaṇḍala ; Grahacara, Lunar Mansion (Nakṣatra), Maṇḍala, Dewata
6. sobhanayoga ; śweta muhurtta ; brahmāparwweśa ; kistughna ; Parwweśa, Time Unit (Muhūrtta)
7. kāraṇa vṛṣabharāśi ; ‘irika diwaśa sang mahāmantrimukya ; ra- Half-Tithi (Karaṇa), Zodiac (Rāśi)

References

  1. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 18. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  2. ^ “Pustaka (Bibliography)”. KalenderBali.org (in Indonesian). Yayasan Bali Galang. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  3. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 19. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  4. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 19. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  5. ^ “Adhik Maas”. Hindu Jagruti. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  6. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 20. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  7. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 21. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  8. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 21. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ^ Tanojo, R. (1967). Pawukon Pasemon dalah Pardikane (in Javanese). Surabaya: Jajasan Penerbitan “Djaja Baja”. Retrieved November 13, 2025 – via Scribd.
  10. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 19. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  11. ^ Tanojo, R. (1967). Pawukon Pasemon dalah Pardikane (in Javanese). Surabaya: Jajasan Penerbitan “Djaja Baja”. p. 35-78. Retrieved November 13, 2025 – via Scribd.
  12. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 25. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  13. ^ Trigangga; Wardhani, Fifia; Retno W., Desrika (2015). Prasasti dan Raja-Raja Nusantara (PDF) (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Museum Nasional Indonesia, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 23. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  14. ^ “November 2025 Month Panchang, Hindu Calendar”. Drikpanchang. Adarsh Mobile Applications LLP. Retrieved November 14, 2025.

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