Why Hindu Fasts & Festivals Now Stretch Across Two Days: An Explanation

• Many Hindu festivals and fasts are now observed on different dates across India, causing confusion.
• Divergence in dates is due to specific tithis, nakshatras, and muhurats, which are tied to local sunrise and sunset timings.
• India's vast geographical range leads to significant differences in sunrise and sunset times, impacting festival calculations.
• Social media and the internet exacerbate confusion as people refer to calendars from different regions.
• Individuals should consult their local calendar (panchang) and observe fasts when sunrise falls within the relevant tithi.