Question 1

What is Panchang (Panchangam)?

Accepted Answer

Panchang (also spelled Panchangam or Panchanga) is the traditional Hindu Vedic calendar system that provides five key elements (Panch Ang) for each day: Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (luni-solar combination), Karana (half-tithi), and Vara (weekday). It is used to determine auspicious and inauspicious times for rituals, ceremonies, and daily activities.

Question 2

What is Rahu Kaal and why should it be avoided?

Accepted Answer

Rahu Kaal (Rahu Kalam) is an inauspicious period of approximately 90 minutes each day ruled by the shadow planet Rahu. It is calculated by dividing the day (sunrise to sunset) into 8 equal parts, with the Rahu Kaal period varying by weekday. Starting new ventures, journeys, or important tasks during Rahu Kaal is traditionally avoided in Vedic astrology.

Question 3

What is Abhijit Muhurta?

Accepted Answer

Abhijit Muhurta is the most auspicious time window of the day, occurring around local solar noon. It is the 8th muhurta of the 15 daytime muhurtas and lasts approximately 48 minutes. Abhijit Muhurta is considered universally auspicious for starting any new work, except on Wednesdays when it is traditionally unavailable.

Question 4

How is Tithi calculated in Vedic Panchang?

Accepted Answer

Tithi is calculated based on the angular difference between the Moon and Sun. Each tithi represents a 12-degree difference in their longitudes. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month — 15 in Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and 15 in Krishna Paksha (waning moon). Tithis are classified into five types: Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta, and Purna.

Question 5

What is the difference between Nakshatra and Rashi?

Accepted Answer

Nakshatra and Rashi are both divisions of the zodiac but at different scales. There are 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions), each spanning 13°20' of the zodiac, based on the Moon's position. There are 12 Rashis (zodiac signs), each spanning 30°. Each Rashi contains 2.25 Nakshatras. In Panchang, the daily Nakshatra refers to the Moon's current Nakshatra position.

Today's Panchang — Five Limbs of the Vedic Calendar

Panchanga — Five Limbs

Inauspicious Periods

Abhijit Muhurta