Daily Hindu calendar with tithi, nakshatra, yoga, and auspicious timings
Panchang (also spelled Panchangam) is the traditional Hindu calendar that provides five essential elements for each day: Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (birth star), Yoga, Karana, and Vara (weekday). These five components help determine auspicious and inauspicious timings for daily activities, rituals, and ceremonies.
Our daily Panchang includes Rahu Kalam, Gulikai Kalam, and Yamaganda timings — the inauspicious periods to avoid for starting new ventures. It also shows Abhijit Muhurta, the most auspicious time of the day, and Chandrashtama details for your Moon sign. Use AstroEpanchang's Panchang to plan your day according to Vedic astrological principles.
Tithi (Lunar Day): The Tithi is the angular relationship between the Sun and Moon, advancing 12° for each Tithi. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning phase (Krishna Paksha). Each Tithi has a specific character — some are auspicious for beginnings (Pratipad, Panchami, Dashami), while others like Ashtami, Chaturdashi, and Amavasya are avoided for new ventures. The Tithi governs the right time for sacred rituals, fasting (Vrat), and ceremonies.
Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion): The Nakshatra is the constellation where the Moon is transiting. There are 27 Nakshatras, each spanning 13°20' of the zodiac. Each Nakshatra has a presiding deity, ruling planet, and associated activities. Ashwini, Pushya, and Hasta are considered highly auspicious for starting new projects, travel, and medical treatments. Nakshatras form the basis for birth star predictions, muhurtham selection, and marriage compatibility.
Yoga & Karana: Yoga is calculated from the combined longitude of the Sun and Moon. There are 27 Yogas, ranging from highly auspicious (Siddha, Shubha, Amrita) to inauspicious (Vishkambha, Vyatipata, Parigha). The Karana is half a Tithi (approximately 6 hours), and there are 11 Karanas in total — 4 fixed and 7 movable. Bhadra Karana (Vishti) is considered inauspicious and should be avoided for important work.
Rahu Kalam is an inauspicious period of approximately 1.5 hours that occurs daily. It is calculated based on the day of the week and local sunrise time. Monday's Rahu Kalam falls in the morning, while Friday's occurs in the afternoon. Starting new work, travel, or important tasks during Rahu Kalam is traditionally avoided. Similarly, Gulikai Kalam (associated with Saturn's son Gulika) and Yamaganda (associated with Yama, the god of death) are other inauspicious periods to observe. Knowing these timings helps you plan your day for maximum auspiciousness.
Panchang (Hindi/Sanskrit) and Panchangam (Tamil/Telugu/Kannada) both refer to the same traditional Hindu almanac. The word means "five limbs" (Pancha = five, Anga = limb), referring to the five elements: Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Vara. Regional panchangams may differ slightly in calculation methods but follow the same Vedic principles.
Rahu Kalam is calculated by dividing the day (sunrise to sunset) into 8 equal parts. The specific part that falls under Rahu's influence changes each day of the week. On Monday it is the 2nd part, Tuesday the 7th, Wednesday the 5th, Thursday the 6th, Friday the 4th, Saturday the 3rd, and Sunday the 8th. The exact time varies by location and season based on local sunrise.
Abhijit Muhurta is considered the most auspicious time of any day, occurring approximately at solar noon (about 48 minutes centered on local midday). It is so powerful that it overrides most inauspicious Tithis, Nakshatras, and even Rahu Kalam. However, it is not available on Wednesdays and is avoided when the Moon is in Abhijit Nakshatra. It is ideal for starting important work, travel, and ceremonies.
Chandrashtama occurs when the Moon transits through the 8th sign from your natal Moon sign. It lasts approximately 2.25 days each month. During this period, one may experience mental stress, physical discomfort, and unfavorable outcomes. It is advisable to avoid starting new ventures, travel, medical procedures, or important decisions during Chandrashtama. Rest, prayer, and meditation are recommended.