What is Panchang and its Five Limbs
The word "panchang" is made of two — pancha (five) and anga (limb). It is the Hindu luni-solar calendar that gives five key components for each day, along with sunrise and sunset, auspicious muhurats, Rahu Kaal and the dates of festivals and vrats.
The five limbs of the panchang
- 1
Tithi
A 12° gap between the Moon and the Sun makes one tithi. A lunar month has 30 tithis — 15 in the Shukla Paksha and 15 in the Krishna Paksha. Vrats and festivals are fixed by tithi.
Tithi in detail → - 2
Vaar
The time from one sunrise to the next is a vaar (weekday). There are seven, each with a ruling planet — Sunday the Sun, Monday the Moon, and so on.
- 3
Nakshatra
The Moon's path across the sky is divided into 27 equal parts — the nakshatras. The nakshatra the Moon occupies is the nakshatra of that day. It is used for naming ceremonies and muhurats.
Nakshatra in detail → - 4
Yoga
The sum of the longitudes of the Sun and Moon is divided into 27 parts. Some yogas are considered auspicious and some inauspicious, such as Vyatipata and Vaidhriti.
- 5
Karana
A karana is half a tithi, so each tithi contains two karanas. There are 11 in all: 4 fixed and 7 moving. Auspicious work is avoided during the Bhadra (Vishti) karana.
How to read a panchang
For any day, first look at all five limbs. A time when all five are favourable is considered the most auspicious. Then check that day's Rahu Kaal and Choghadiya so there is no clash. For major events like marriage or Griha Pravesh, it is best to confirm the muhurat with a pandit.
Types of panchang
By method of calculation there are two — the Drik panchang, based on actual astronomical computation, and the Vakya panchang, based on traditional formulae. There are regional differences too — the Purnimanta month in North India and the Amanta month in the south and west.
⚠️ 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.