Universe just had a birthday, says Vedic calendar

The universe has just had a birthday, chugging along well at 1,955,885,098 years, according to the Vedic calendar. The Navrati festival also begins on Tuesday.

Ancient Vedic texts proclaim the universe was created by Lord Brahma 1,955,885,098 years ago, just 18,044,114,902 years short of the 20 billion approximated by scientists.

Tuesday also marks the beginning of the year 2054 of Vikram Samvat and the 5,097th year of Kali Yuga (the era of Kali) where the worst of mankind is allegedly in ascendancy. Kali Yuga has another 432,000 more years to go.

On the new year, Hindus in various parts of the country will hoist a Dharma Dhwaj (flag of truth) on the roof top and perform many rituals.

In Uttar Pradesh, devotees from all over the country will assemble at Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Poornagiri and Ayodhya to take part in the Navratri festivals. It ends on Ram Navmi, celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu god Rama with most festivities reserved for Ayodhya, where he was born.