What is Panchangam?

Panchangam (பஞ்சாங்கம்) is the Hindu calendar and almanac that provides detailed astronomical data for each day. The word comes from Sanskrit: Pancha (five) and Anga (limb/element). These five elements are used to determine the quality of time and plan auspicious activities.

The Five Elements Explained

1. Tithi (திதி) - Lunar Day

Tithi is the lunar day, calculated from the angular distance between the Moon and Sun. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month: 15 in Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and 15 in Krishna Paksha (waning moon). Each tithi spans 12 degrees of Moon-Sun separation. Today's tithi is Shukla Dwadashi.

2. Nakshatra (நட்சத்திரம்) - Lunar Mansion

Nakshatra is the lunar mansion or star constellation where the Moon is positioned. There are 27 nakshatras, each spanning 13°20' of the zodiac. Each nakshatra has 4 padas (quarters). Today the Moon is in Jyeshtha, ruled by Mercury.

3. Yoga (யோகம்) - Sun-Moon Combination

Yoga is calculated from the sum of Sun and Moon longitudes. There are 27 yogas, some auspicious and some inauspicious. Today's yoga is Indra, which is considered auspicious.

4. Karana (கரணம்) - Half-Tithi

Karana is half of a tithi, lasting 6 degrees of Moon-Sun separation. There are 11 karanas: 4 fixed (appear once per lunar month) and 7 repeating. Today's karana is Balava.

5. Vara (வாரம்) - Weekday

Vara is the day of the week, each ruled by a planet. Today is Sunday (ஞாயிறு). Each weekday has specific activities that are considered auspicious.

How to Use Panchangam

Panchangam helps you plan daily activities by identifying:

• Auspicious times for starting new ventures, travel, or ceremonies
• Inauspicious periods (Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam) to avoid
• Festival dates based on tithi and nakshatra
• Religious observances like Ekadashi, Purnima, Amavasya