BeginnerFoundations⏱ 8 min read

How to Read a Panchang

The Panchang (पञ्चाङ्ग) is the Vedic almanac used for over 5,000 years to determine auspicious timing. The word itself breaks down as Pancha (five) + Anga (limb) — five elements that together describe the quality of any given moment.

The Five Limbs

1. Tithi (तिथि) — Lunar Day

The Tithi is the angular relationship between the Sun and Moon, advancing 12° per Tithi. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning phase (Krishna Paksha).

The 30 Tithis:

·Pratipad (1st) — New beginnings, auspicious for starting ventures

·Dwitiya (2nd) — Good for travel and new work

·Tritiya (3rd) — Good for haircuts, auspicious activities

·Chaturthi (4th) — Ruled by Ganesha; remove obstacles

·Panchami (5th) — Good for medicine, learning

·Shashthi (6th) — Auspicious for war-related matters

·Saptami (7th) — Good for vehicles, travel

·Ashtami (8th) — Mixed; avoid important work

·Navami (9th) — Avoid auspicious events

·Dashami (10th) — Excellent for most activities

·Ekadashi (11th) — Sacred fasting day; spiritual activities

·Dwadashi (12th) — Good for donating and spiritual work

·Trayodashi (13th) — Auspicious for most work

·Chaturdashi (14th) — Avoid auspicious events

·Purnima/Amavasya (15th) — Full Moon / New Moon — significant spiritual days

2. Vara (वार) — Weekday

Each day is ruled by a planet, imparting its qualities to the day:

| Day | Planet | Best For |

|-----|--------|----------|

| Sunday (Ravivar) | Sun | Authority, government, father |

| Monday (Somavar) | Moon | Mind, emotions, travel |

| Tuesday (Mangalvar) | Mars | Courage, surgery, real estate |

| Wednesday (Budhvar) | Mercury | Education, communication, trade |

| Thursday (Guruvar) | Jupiter | Wisdom, spiritual work, marriage |

| Friday (Shukravar) | Venus | Arts, beauty, relationships |

| Saturday (Shanivar) | Saturn | Discipline, service, construction |

3. Nakshatra (नक्षत्र) — Lunar Mansion

The Moon moves through one of 27 Nakshatras each day. The Nakshatra of the day adds specific qualities. Abhijit is sometimes counted as the 28th.

Each Nakshatra has a ruling deity, ruling planet, and specific nature (Deva/Manusha/Rakshasa). For Muhurta selection, the Moon's Nakshatra is critical — avoid Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Mula, and Ardra for most auspicious events.

4. Yoga (योग) — Sun+Moon Combination

The 27 Yogas are formed by adding the longitudes of the Sun and Moon, then dividing by 13°20'. They range from highly auspicious to inauspicious:

Auspicious Yogas: Siddha, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Indra, Vaidhriti (partially)

Inauspicious Yogas: Vishkambha, Parigha, Vajra, Vyatipata, Vaidhriti

5. Karana (करण) — Half-Tithi

Each Tithi is divided into two Karanas of ~6 hours each. There are 11 Karanas — 4 fixed (Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, Kintughna) and 7 movable that repeat.

Best Karanas for work: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Garaja, Vanija

Avoid: Vishti (Bhadra) — inauspicious, especially the first half

How to Use the Panchang Practically

1.Check today's Tithi — is it auspicious for your activity?

2.Check Vara — does the day lord support your purpose?

3.Check Moon Nakshatra — is it favorable for your specific event type?

4.Check Yoga — avoid Vyatipata and Parigha for important events

5.Check Karana — avoid Vishti (Bhadra) period

Panchamga Shuddhi (Five-fold Purity)

For any auspicious event, traditionalists check that all five elements are favorable. In practice, 3 out of 5 being auspicious is acceptable. Tithi and Vara are most important; Nakshatra third.

Try It Now

Open the [Panchang tool](/panchang) to see today's five limbs for your location in real time.

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