The word Panchang (पञ्चाङ्ग) comes from Sanskrit, meaning "five limbs" or "five parts." It is a traditional Hindu calendar and almanac that has been used for thousands of years to determine auspicious times (muhurat) for important life events, religious ceremonies, and daily activities.
Based on precise astronomical calculations, the Panchang tracks the positions of celestial bodies—particularly the Sun, Moon, and planets—and their influence on earthly life according to Vedic astrology principles.
A Tithi is the lunar day, defined by the angular relationship between the Sun and Moon. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month, divided into two fortnights (Pakshas): the bright half (Shukla Paksha) and the dark half (Krishna Paksha). Each Tithi has its own significance and is considered auspicious for specific activities.
The Nakshatra represents the Moon's position in one of 27 (or 28) lunar constellations. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' of the zodiac and is ruled by a specific deity and planet. The Nakshatra at the time of birth is crucial in Vedic astrology for determining personality traits and life path.
Yoga is calculated from the combined longitudinal positions of the Sun and Moon. There are 27 Yogas in total, each with unique characteristics. Certain Yogas are considered highly favorable for starting new ventures, while others are avoided for important activities.
A Karana is half of a Tithi. There are 11 Karanas that repeat in a specific pattern throughout the lunar month. Karanas are important for determining the quality of time for various activities, especially for business transactions and travel.
Var refers to the weekday, each ruled by a specific planet: Sunday (Sun), Monday (Moon), Tuesday (Mars), Wednesday (Mercury), Thursday (Jupiter), Friday (Venus), and Saturday (Saturn). Each day is considered favorable for activities related to its ruling planet.
Helps identify the most auspicious times (Muhurat) for important life events such as weddings, housewarming ceremonies, starting a business, or beginning educational pursuits.
Essential for determining festival dates, fasting days (Ekadashi, Pradosh), and performing religious rituals at the correct time for maximum spiritual benefit.
Traditional farmers use Panchang to determine optimal times for planting, harvesting, and other agricultural activities based on lunar phases and planetary positions.
Guides daily activities and helps avoid inauspicious periods (Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda, Gulika Kalam) for important decisions and undertakings.
Start by consulting the Dainik (daily) Panchang for your location to understand the planetary positions and timings for the day.
Look for favorable Muhurat timings like Abhijit Muhurat, Brahma Muhurat, or Amrit Kalam for important activities.
Be mindful of inauspicious periods like Rahu Kaal, Gulika Kalam, and Yamaganda, and avoid starting new ventures during these times.
For personalized guidance, combine Panchang insights with your individual birth chart (Kundali) for the most accurate muhurat selection.
Get precise Panchang calculations based on your location and discover the most auspicious times for your activities.