Today's Nakshatra
What is a nakshatra?
A nakshatra is one of 27 equal segments of the Moon's path (the ecliptic). Each spans about 13°20′, and the Moon stays in one for roughly a day. The nakshatra the Moon occupies is the nakshatra of that day.
How today's nakshatra is set
Today's nakshatra is found from the Moon's sidereal position at sunrise. Because the Moon moves, the nakshatra can change during the day — the panchang then lists both and the changeover time.
How nakshatra is used
Nakshatra is consulted for choosing a muhurat, for the first syllable of a name in the Namkaran ceremony, and for travel, marriage and auspicious work. Each nakshatra has its own ruling planet, deity and temperament.
The four padas
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas (quarters) of about 3°20′ each. The pada decides the name syllable used in the Namkaran ceremony.
The 27 nakshatras and their ruling deities
| # | Nakshatra | Ruling deity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Ashwini Kumar |
| 2 | Bharani | Yama |
| 3 | Krittika | Agni |
| 4 | Rohini | Brahma |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Chandra |
| 6 | Ardra | Rudra |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Aditi |
| 8 | Pushya | Brihaspati |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Sarpa |
| 10 | Magha | Pitara |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Bhaga |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Aryama |
| 13 | Hasta | Savitar |
| 14 | Chitra | Tvashtri |
| 15 | Swati | Vayu |
| 16 | Vishakha | Indra-Agni |
| 17 | Anuradha | Mitra |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Indra |
| 19 | Mula | Nirrti |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Jala |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Vishvedeva |
| 22 | Shravana | Vishnu |
| 23 | Dhanishtha | Ashtavasu |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Varuna |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Ajaikapada |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Ahirbudhnya |
| 27 | Revati | Pusha |
⚠️ This information is based on traditional panchang calculations and is meant as general guidance. For important ceremonies such as marriage or Griha Pravesh, please confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit or acharya. Timings can shift slightly by city as sunrise and sunset differ.