What Is Panchang?
Panchang is the daily astrological calendar based on the Indian calendar. It is one of the most widely followed concepts in Vedic astrology and considers the day's planetary positions to determine auspicious activities, timings, festivals, vrats, tithis, and more. This information can help a person decide whether to begin or complete a particular task after assessing the favourability of the planets governing it.
At AstroReal, the Panchang calendar is prepared by experienced astrologers. The Daily Panchang describes the numerous astrological elements of the day and determines their level of auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. From today's sunrise time to today's sunset time, Panchang helps you discover it all at your convenience.
Panchang primarily provides details about five aspects: the day of the week (Vaar), Tithi or lunar day, Nakshatra or constellation, Yoga, and Karana. These elements change with date and time, making it important to stay updated.
What Is Panchang Used For?
Panchang has likely helped you throughout your life, even if you were unaware of it. A marriage muhurat, for example, is selected after studying the Panchang to find the most suitable date and time. This depends on the planets ruling love and marriage, the Tithi, a Nakshatra that complements marriage, and several other factors.
Panchang can also help determine the Nakshatra in which a baby may be born. The Nakshatra indicates a child's qualities and can help parents understand them better. Panchang is also useful for finding a Shubh Muhurat to begin a business, perform Bhumi Pujan, and undertake other important activities.
The purpose of Panchang is to use the Hindu calendar effectively while remaining aware of the natural forces that govern the world. Performing an activity during a Shubh Kaal is believed to invite the blessings of planets and deities because of their favourable positions.
The Five Aspects of Panchang
Vaar
Vaar, also known as Din, means the day of the week. Each day is governed by a different astrological planet. Knowing the ruling planet helps you understand the influence that each day may have.
- Sunday — Sun
- Monday — Moon
- Tuesday — Mars
- Wednesday — Mercury
- Thursday — Jupiter
- Friday — Venus
- Saturday — Saturn
Tithi
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Tithi is the lunar day. A lunar month contains a bright and dark fortnight, known as Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. When the Moon completes 12 degrees of movement relative to the Sun, it forms one Tithi.
There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month. Since the beginning and end of a Tithi depend on the Moon's degree from the Sun, a Tithi may begin or end at any time of day. Many rituals and festivals are associated with Tithis, including Amavasya and Poornima.
- Nanda Tithi: Joy and happiness.
- Bhadra Tithi: Favourable for commencing new work.
- Jaya Tithi: Helps one overcome enemies.
- Rikta Tithi: Generally avoided for important work.
- Poorna Tithi: Favourable for completing all kinds of work.
Nakshatra
Nakshatra is another important constituent of today's Panchang. Nakshatras are constellations in the sky. Vedic astrology divides the zodiac into 27 Nakshatras to provide more detailed readings. Each Nakshatra covers thirteen degrees and twenty minutes of the zodiac and is governed by a deity.
Nakshatras are broadly classified as Rakshasa, Manushya, and Deva. The 27 Nakshatras are:
- Ashvini / Aswini — अश्विनी
- Bharani — भरणी
- Krittika / Krithika — कृत्तिका
- Rohini — रोहिणी
- Mrigashirsha — मृगशीर्ष
- Ardra — आर्द्रा
- Punarvasu — पुनर्वसु
- Pushya — पुष्य
- Ashlesha — आश्लेषा
- Magha — मघा
- Purva Phalguni — पूर्व फाल्गुनी
- Uttara Phalguni — उत्तर फाल्गुनी
- Hasta — हस्त
- Chitra — चित्रा
- Swati — स्वाति
- Vishakha — विशाखा
- Anuradha — अनुराधा
- Jyeshtha — ज्येष्ठा
- Mula — मूल
- Purva Ashadha — पूर्वाषाढा
- Uttara Ashadha — उत्तराषाढा
- Shravana — श्रवण
- Dhanishtha — धनिष्ठा
- Shatabhisha — शतभिषक्
- Purva Bhadrapada — पूर्वभाद्रपदा
- Uttara Bhadrapada — उत्तरभाद्रपदा
- Revati — रेवती
Yoga
In Panchang, Yoga means addition. It is calculated by adding the positions of the Moon and Sun in the zodiac. Each Yoga represents certain characteristics and influences. The 27 Yogas are:
- Vishakumbha — Achieving
- Preeti — Happy
- Aayushman — Grounded
- Saubhagya — Wealth
- Shobhana — Beautiful
- Atiganda — Risk
- Sukarma — Plentiful
- Dhriti — Entertainment
- Shoola — Argumentative
- Ganda — Worrying
- Vriddhi — Perspicacity
- Dhruva — Dependable
- Vyaghaata — Fierce
- Harshana — Pleasure
- Vajra — Power
- Siddhi — Success
- Vyatipaata — Difficulty
- Variyaana — Luxurious
- Parigha — Barrier
- Shiva — Benevolent
- Siddha — Expert
- Saaddhya — Mediation
- Shubha — Favourable
- Shukla — Bright
- Brahma — Reliable
- Indra — Headship
- Vaidhriti — Divisive
Karana
Karana is half of a Tithi. Every Tithi contains two Karanas, and there are 11 Karanas in total. Four occur only once a lunar month and are known as fixed Karanas: Kimstughna, Chatushpada, Shakuni, and Naga.
The seven movable Karanas follow one another in a fixed rotation: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, and Vishti. Each Karana has its own influence and interpretation. Vishti is considered inauspicious, so new or important work is generally avoided during this period.