Calcutta, May 19: The Indian almanac is becoming popular abroad.

The Indian Astrological Society here has been receiving queries on astronomical calculations and the do’s and dont’s prescribed for specific days in the almanac.

Mr. Nirmal Chandra Lahiri, President of the Society, told Samachar that the inquiries were such as a New Yorker’s wish to know some auspicious day for a visit to India and the query from the disciples of the Gaudiya Math in Britain about the days of Ekadadi in different months.

Spokesmen of several publishing houses told Samachar: “We are not aware of any other Indian publication having a higher sale than that of the almanac year after year!”

In West Bengal alone, about 7,00,000 copies of almanac were sold during the Bengali year ending April 13, this year. The year before 6,00,000 copies were sold.

Records showed that some Western countries were importing copies of different Indian almanacs for use by their people.

In Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar, the sales vary from 5,00,000 to about 6,00,000 copies. Almost identical sales were reported from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.