What is Panchang?
Panchang (Sanskrit: "five limbs") is the traditional Hindu calendar and almanac that tracks time using five key astronomical elements. It's the foundation for determining muhurat (auspicious times), festival dates, and daily activities in Vedic tradition.
Unlike the solar Gregorian calendar, Panchang is lunisolar - it tracks both Sun and Moon positions, making it essential for religious observances and Vedic astrology.
Understanding Tithi (Lunar Day)
Tithi is the lunar day based on the Moon-Sun angular relationship. Each Tithi covers 12 degrees of Moon's movement relative to Sun.
Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon):
- Pratipada (1st), Dwitiya (2nd), Tritiya (3rd), Chaturthi (4th)
- Panchami (5th), Shashthi (6th), Saptami (7th), Ashtami (8th)
- Navami (9th), Dashami (10th), Ekadashi (11th), Dwadashi (12th)
- Trayodashi (13th), Chaturdashi (14th), Purnima (Full Moon)
Krishna Paksha (Waning Moon): Same 15 Tithis ending with Amavasya (New Moon)
Auspicious Tithis: 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, Purnima
Inauspicious Tithis: 4, 8, 9, 14, Amavasya (for most activities)
Know the Var (Weekday)
Each day is ruled by a planet and has specific favorable activities:
- Ravivar (Sunday): Sun - Government work, authority, health
- Somvar (Monday): Moon - Beginning journeys, liquids, women-related
- Mangalvar (Tuesday): Mars - Property, courage, avoid travel
- Budhvar (Wednesday): Mercury - Education, business, communication
- Guruvar (Thursday): Jupiter - Religious activities, marriage, learning
- Shukravar (Friday): Venus - Marriage, arts, luxury purchases
- Shanivar (Saturday): Saturn - Oil bath, iron work, avoid new beginnings
Find Today's Nakshatra
Nakshatra is the Moon's current position in one of 27 lunar mansions. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' and has specific qualities:
Categories:
- Dhruva (Fixed): Rohini, Uttara (3), Mrigashira - Good for permanent things
- Chara (Movable): Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta, others - Good for travel, change
- Ugra (Fierce): Bharani, Magha, Ashadha, others - Avoid auspicious work
- Mridu (Soft): Chitra, Anuradha, Mrigashira, Revati - Arts, romance
Check today's Panchang for current Nakshatra.
Understand Yoga
Yoga is calculated from the sum of Sun and Moon's longitude (divided by 13°20'). There are 27 Yogas:
Auspicious Yogas: Siddha, Amrit, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma
Inauspicious Yogas: Vishkumbha, Atiganda, Shoola, Vyaghata, Vajra, Parigha
Neutral Yogas: Most others have mixed results depending on activity
For major events, check that both Nakshatra and Yoga are favorable. Avoid inauspicious Yogas for weddings, investments, and new ventures.
Note the Karana
Karana is half of a Tithi (6°). There are 11 Karanas - 4 fixed and 7 rotating:
Fixed Karanas: Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, Kimstughna (occur once per lunar month)
Rotating Karanas: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, Vishti (Bhadra)
Important: Avoid starting important work during Vishti (Bhadra) Karana - considered highly inauspicious for most activities.
Check Additional Timings
Beyond the five elements, Panchang includes:
- Rahu Kaal: Inauspicious 90-minute period (varies daily)
- Yamagandam: Another inauspicious period to avoid
- Gulika Kaal: Saturn's inauspicious sub-period
- Abhijit Muhurat: Most auspicious 48 minutes around midday
- Brahma Muhurat: Spiritual time 1.5 hours before sunrise
Frequently Asked Questions
Panchang means 'five limbs': 1) Tithi - lunar day (30 in a month), 2) Var - weekday, 3) Nakshatra - Moon's constellation (27 total), 4) Yoga - Sun-Moon angle (27 types), 5) Karana - half of Tithi (11 types).
Rahu Kaal is an approximately 90-minute inauspicious period each day ruled by Rahu. Its timing varies by weekday and location. Avoid starting important activities during Rahu Kaal. Check daily Panchang for exact timings.
Abhijit Muhurat is the most auspicious time of the day - approximately 48 minutes around local noon (24 minutes before and after midday). It's ruled by Vishnu and considered universally auspicious for all activities.
Check Today's Panchang
Get complete Panchang details with all timings for today.
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