The 2009-10 Vaisnava Calendar (Panjika) has been made in accordance with the rules for making exact solar and lunar calculations as delineated inHari-bhakti-vilasa by Sri Sanatana Gosvami, and as followed by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja in the various locations he visits during his worldwide preaching. 

Break Fast Times: As in last year's calendar, the parana, or exact times within which to break a fast, is listed according to location. You will note that these times vary considerably. This is due to a location's latitude, longitude, and time of year. 

Such times are marked by the words: Break fast times. For example, Amsterdam (06:53-10:51) informs a person in Amsterdam to break his fast between 6.53am and 10.51am 

Daylight Savings Time: Daylight savings time (DST) not considered. This means that the exact break fast and eclipse times given herein does not take Daylight Savings Time into account. The reader is therefore advised to add the DST difference for the local time zone (usually one hour ) when DST is in effect (during summer months). For example, 09:01 am becomes 10:01 am. When DST is not in effect, simply observe the local break fast or eclipse times as listed. 

It is the desire of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja that the calculations for the individual time zones around the world be followed. 

Calculations: In the previous year calendar, the calculations for the positions of the sun and moon were made from the center of the earth (geocentric).  In this year's calendar, under the guidance of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja (Srila Gurudeva), the calculations are being made from the surface of the earth for each location.  Due to this difference, you may find that this calendar will vary slightly from other vaisnava calendars that are using geocentric calculations. 

Maha-dvadasi: There are eight special conditions when a dvadasi lunar tithi becomes a Maha-dvadasi.  In such cases, fasting is done on the Maha-dvadasi and not the ekadasi.  A Maha-dvadasi may be in effect for one location and not another. A regular dvadasi can also become a fast day for an ekadasi under certain conditions.  Please pay attention to the fasting instructions for each location which are listed under the location name. 

Eclipses: This year we have included worldwide eclipse times.  Please see rules to be followed during eclipses below.

Special Festival Days: The Gaudiya Vaisnavas observe the appearance days of Visnu tattva incarnations of Lord Sri Krsna by fasting on those days (no grains): Sri Advaita Acarya, Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Sri Ramacandra, Lord Sri Nrsimhadeva, Lord Sri Balarama, Lord Sri Krsna. For the festival days of Lord Varahadeva and Lord Vamanadeva which are on a dvadasi tithi, fasting is done on the dvadasi when it becomes a maha-dvadasi, else fasting is done the day before on ekadasi.

For more details and explanations about the different festivals and appearance and disappearance days, information about the various programs and festivities in your local area and around the world, or to view transcendental art and lectures online, please visit: www.purebhakti.com