Mahabharata Calendar (Part 14 of the Mahabharata Series)

 In the 14th part of the Mahabharata Series, I will demonstrate the creation of the 5-year Yuga calendar pertinent to the Mahabharata era. Drawing insights from Lagadha's Vedanga Jyothisha, the calendar reveals that 3136 BCE, the year of the war, marked the commencement of the 'Samvatsara' year within the 5-year Yuga cycle. It was in this year that Bhishma awaited the onset of Uttarayana in the subsequent year, the second year of the cycle. 

Bhishma departed on Uttarayana which coincided with Shukla Ashtami, whereas the calendrical calculations show Uttarayana in Shukla Trayodashi. This discrepancy gives rise to the Ganesha Moment, that will be explored in the forthcoming part.