Panchang Glossary — Hindu Calendar Terms
39+ terms explained — Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, Muhurat, and more
All Terms (39)
Abhijit Muhurat(अभिजित् मुहूर्त)
The most auspicious muhurat of the day, occurring around midday (local noon). It is 48 minutes long and is considered universally good for starting any new work, regardless of other inauspicious timings.
Amavasya(अमावस्या)
The New Moon day (30th Tithi). Considered inauspicious for new beginnings but ideal for ancestor worship (Pitru Tarpan), introspection, and spiritual practices related to departed souls.
Ayanamsa(अयनांश)
The angular difference between the tropical (Sayana) and sidereal (Nirayana) zodiacs, caused by the precession of equinoxes. The Lahiri Ayanamsa is the standard used in Indian Panchang. Currently approximately 24.17°.
Brahma Muhurat(ब्रह्म मुहूर्त)
The auspicious pre-dawn period, approximately 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise. Considered the best time for meditation, prayer, study, and spiritual practice. The mind is naturally calm and sattvic during this time.
Chaturthi(चतुर्थी)
The 4th Tithi of each Paksha (lunar fortnight). Vinayaka Chaturthi (Shukla) is sacred to Lord Ganesha, and Sankashti Chaturthi (Krishna) involves fasting until moonrise.
Choghadiya(चौघड़िया)
A Gujarati/Rajasthani system of dividing the day and night into 8 periods each (7 are named, 1 repeats). Each period is classified as Amrit, Shubh, Labh, Char, Rog, Kaal, or Udveg — indicating auspiciousness for various activities.
Disha Shool(दिशा शूल)
Directional prohibition based on the day of the week. Travelling in the Disha Shool direction is considered inauspicious. For example, travelling East on Saturday and Monday, South on Tuesday and Wednesday, is to be avoided.
Dur Muhurtam(दुर्मुहूर्तम्)
An inauspicious period of approximately 48 minutes occurring daily. Not suitable for starting important new work. The timing changes based on the day of the week.
Dwadashi(द्वादशी)
The 12th Tithi. Ekadashi fasts are broken (parana) during a specific window on Dwadashi. Certain Dwadashis have their own observances.
Ekadashi(एकादशी)
The 11th Tithi of each lunar fortnight, sacred to Lord Vishnu. Fasting on Ekadashi (avoiding grains and beans) is one of the most observed Hindu vrats, occurring twice monthly. Each Ekadashi has a unique name and significance.
Gana(गण)
The temperament classification of a Nakshatra — Deva (divine), Manushya (human), or Rakshasa (demon). Used in marriage compatibility (Ashtakoota) matching to assess temperamental harmony.
Grahan(ग्रहण)
Eclipse — either Surya Grahan (solar) or Chandra Grahan (lunar). Eclipses are considered inauspicious for starting new activities. Food prepared before the eclipse is discarded. Mantra chanting during eclipses is considered especially powerful.
Gulika Kalam(गुलिक काल)
An inauspicious period ruled by Gulika (son of Saturn), lasting approximately 1.5 hours daily. Important new work, travel, and auspicious ceremonies should be avoided during this time. The timing varies by day of the week.
Hora(होरा)
Planetary hours — each hour of the day is ruled by one of the 7 visible planets. The first Hora of the day is ruled by the planet that rules that weekday. Hora of Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Moon are considered auspicious.
Karana(करण)
Half of a Tithi — one of the 5 elements (Angas) of the Panchang. There are 11 Karanas: 4 fixed (Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, Kimstughna) and 7 repeating (Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, Vishti). Vishti (Bhadra) Karana is inauspicious.
Krishna Paksha(कृष्ण पक्ष)
The waning (dark) fortnight of the lunar month, from Purnima (full moon) to Amavasya (new moon). Contains Tithis 1–15 of the dark half. Generally considered less auspicious than Shukla Paksha for new beginnings.
Lahiri Ayanamsa
The official Ayanamsa adopted by the Indian government (Chitrapaksha system). Named after astronomer N.C. Lahiri. Used by the Indian National Panchang and most North Indian astrologers. Currently ~24.17° and increases by ~50.29 arc-seconds per year.
Muhurat(मुहूर्त)
An auspicious time window for performing important activities. Also a unit of time equal to 48 minutes (1/30th of a day). Muhurat selection considers Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, planetary positions, and inauspicious periods.
Nakshatra(नक्षत्र)
One of 27 lunar mansions (star constellations) through which the Moon travels. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' of the zodiac. The Moon spends approximately 1 day in each Nakshatra. Birth Nakshatra determines many aspects of Hindu rituals and compatibility.
Navami(नवमी)
The 9th Tithi. Ram Navami (Chaitra Shukla Navami) celebrates Lord Rama's birth. The 9 Navamis of Navratri are each dedicated to a form of Goddess Durga.
Paksha(पक्ष)
A lunar fortnight — half of a lunar month. Shukla Paksha (bright/waxing half, full moon approaching) and Krishna Paksha (dark/waning half, new moon approaching). Each Paksha contains 15 Tithis.
Panchang(पञ्चाङ्ग)
The Hindu almanac/calendar. Literally "five limbs" — the 5 elements are Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (luni-solar combination), and Karana (half-tithi). These five together determine the auspiciousness of any moment.
Parana(पारणा)
The act of breaking a fast, especially Ekadashi. Parana must be done within a specific time window on Dwadashi, after sunrise but before the end of Dwadashi Tithi. Breaking the fast outside this window reduces the merit of the vrat.
Pradosh(प्रदोष)
The twilight period on Trayodashi (13th Tithi), sacred to Lord Shiva. Pradosh Vrat is observed twice monthly. Shani Pradosh (Saturday), Soma Pradosh (Monday), and Bhauma Pradosh (Tuesday) are especially significant.
Purnima(पूर्णिमा)
The Full Moon day (15th Tithi of Shukla Paksha). Considered auspicious for Satyanarayan Puja, charity, and spiritual practices. Many major festivals fall on Purnima — Holi, Guru Purnima, Sharad Purnima, Kartik Purnima.
Rahu Kalam(राहु काल)
An inauspicious period of approximately 1.5 hours daily, ruled by the shadow planet Rahu. Timing varies by day of the week. Starting new ventures, signing contracts, or beginning journeys during Rahu Kalam is to be avoided. The sequence follows the mnemonic: "Mother Saw Father Wearing The Turban Suddenly".
Rashi(राशि)
Zodiac sign — one of 12 signs of the sidereal zodiac, each spanning 30°. In Vedic astrology, Rashi refers to the Moon sign (not Sun sign as in Western astrology). The Moon's Rashi at birth determines the Janma Rashi used in Hindu rituals.
Ritu(ऋतु)
Season — the Hindu year is divided into 6 seasons of 2 months each: Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (pre-winter), and Shishira (winter). Each Ritu has specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations in Ayurveda.
Sankranti(संक्रान्ति)
The Sun's transit from one zodiac sign to another, occurring approximately once a month. Makar Sankranti (Sun entering Capricorn) is the most celebrated. Sankranti days are considered auspicious for charity, bathing in holy rivers, and ancestor worship.
Saptami(सप्तमी)
The 7th Tithi. Ratha Saptami celebrates the Sun God. Saptami is generally considered auspicious for travel and new endeavours.
Shashthi(षष्ठी)
The 6th Tithi. Skanda Shashthi is sacred to Lord Kartikeya (Murugan). Sitala Shashthi is observed for children's well-being.
Shukla Paksha(शुक्ल पक्ष)
The waxing (bright) fortnight of the lunar month, from Amavasya (new moon) to Purnima (full moon). Contains Tithis 1–15 of the bright half. Generally preferred for auspicious activities, new beginnings, and celebrations.
Tithi(तिथि)
A lunar day — one of the 5 Angas of Panchang. Defined by each 12° increase in the Moon-Sun longitudinal difference. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month (15 per Paksha). Tithis determine most Hindu festival dates and fasting days.
Trayodashi(त्रयोदशी)
The 13th Tithi. Pradosh Vrat is observed on Trayodashi. Dhanteras (Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi) is the festival of wealth before Diwali.
Tritiya(तृतीया)
The 3rd Tithi. Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla) is one of the most auspicious days for new ventures, gold purchases, and weddings. Hariyali Teej falls on Shravan Shukla Tritiya.
Vara(वार)
Day of the week — one of the 5 Angas of Panchang. The 7 Varas are: Ravivar (Sunday/Sun), Somvar (Monday/Moon), Mangalvar (Tuesday/Mars), Budhvar (Wednesday/Mercury), Guruvar (Thursday/Jupiter), Shukravar (Friday/Venus), Shanivar (Saturday/Saturn).
Varjyam(वर्ज्यम्)
An inauspicious time period calculated from the Nakshatra of the day. Lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Starting new activities or ceremonies during Varjyam is avoided. The calculation is based on specific Ghatikas within each Nakshatra.
Yoga(योग)
A luni-solar combination — one of the 5 Angas of Panchang. Calculated from the sum of Sun and Moon longitudes divided by 13°20'. There are 27 Yogas, each with specific characteristics. Vishkumbha, Atiganda, Shoola, Ganda, Vyaghata, Vajra, Vyatipata, Parigha, and Vaidhriti are considered inauspicious.
Yamagandam(यमगण्डम्)
An inauspicious period ruled by Yama (god of death), lasting approximately 1.5 hours daily. Like Rahu Kalam, the timing varies by day. Activities started during Yamagandam are believed to face obstacles or negative outcomes.
The Five Angas (Limbs) of Panchang
| # | Anga | Meaning | Count | Based On |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tithi | Lunar day | 30 per month | Moon–Sun angle (each 12°) |
| 2 | Vara | Weekday | 7 | Planetary ruler of the day |
| 3 | Nakshatra | Lunar mansion | 27 | Moon's position (each 13°20') |
| 4 | Yoga | Luni-solar combo | 27 | Sun + Moon longitude sum (each 13°20') |
| 5 | Karana | Half-tithi | 11 types, 60/month | Moon–Sun angle (each 6°) |
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Panchang mean?
Panchang literally means "five limbs" (pancha = five, anga = limb) in Sanskrit. It refers to the five key elements of the Hindu calendar: Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (luni-solar combination), and Karana (half-tithi). Together, these five elements determine the auspiciousness of any given moment.
How many elements are in a Panchang?
A Panchang has 5 primary elements (Angas): Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana. Beyond these, a complete Panchang also includes supplementary information like Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam, Gulika Kalam, Hora, Choghadiya, sunrise/sunset times, moonrise/moonset times, and planetary positions.
What is the difference between Tithi and date?
A date (Gregorian calendar) is based on the Earth's rotation relative to the Sun and is always exactly 24 hours. A Tithi (Hindu calendar) is based on the Moon-Sun angular relationship — specifically, each 12° increase in their longitudinal difference. Because the Moon's speed varies, a Tithi can last 19 to 26 hours. This means a Tithi can span two Gregorian dates, or two Tithis can fall on one date (Tithi Kshaya).