(2) Saka era was probably started by Kushana King Kanishka in 78 AD but this has been disputed. This era has been adopted by the Government of India. I ts elapsed year is tropical solar and it begins on the day following the vernal equinox. The first month is Chaitra,with 30 days in a normal year and 31 in a leap year. The next 5 months have 31 days and the rest have 30 days.