Calendar & Muhurta

Panchang

पंचांग • Panchanga

Panchang is the Hindu calendar system based on five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana, used for daily astrological guidance.

What is Panchang?

Panchang (Panchanga, पंचांग) — Panchang is the Hindu calendar system based on five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana, used for daily astrological guidance.

Panchang (literally 'five limbs') is the traditional Hindu calendar and almanac system based on five astronomical elements: Tithi (lunar day — 30 per month), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (Sun-Moon angular relationship — 27 types), and Karana (half of a Tithi — 11 types). The Panchang provides daily astrological guidance for determining auspicious and inauspicious activities. It's used for planning religious ceremonies, business activities, marriage dates, and housewarming. The Panchang also tracks Rahu Kaal (inauspicious time ruled by Rahu) and other daily planetary considerations. Different regional Panchangs exist across India, each with slight calculation variations.

Examples

Checking the Panchang before starting a new business reveals the day's Tithi, Nakshatra, and overall auspiciousness.
Ekadashi (11th Tithi) is considered ideal for fasting and spiritual practices.
Rahu Kaal, calculated from the Panchang, indicates the inauspicious 90-minute window each day.

Practical Application

Consult the daily Panchang to identify favorable and unfavorable times for important activities. Avoid starting new ventures during Rahu Kaal or on inauspicious Tithis. Use Panchang data for planning religious observances and ceremonies.

Common Misconceptions

The Panchang is not just a religious calendar — it's an astronomical system tracking real celestial movements.
Different regions of India use slightly different Panchangs, but the astronomical basis is the same.
Panchang's five limbs work together — judging a day's quality requires considering all five, not just one element.

Related Terms

Muhurtaमुहूर्त
Nakshatraनक्षत्र

More Calendar & Muhurta Terms

Muhurtaमुहूर्त

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Panchang?

Panchang is the Hindu calendar system based on five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (Moon's lunar mansion), Yoga (Sun-Moon angle), and Karana (half-Tithi). It provides daily astrological guidance for planning activities.

What are the 5 elements of Panchang?

The five elements (limbs) are: Tithi (30 lunar days per month), Vara (7 weekdays), Nakshatra (27 lunar mansions), Yoga (27 Sun-Moon angular relationships), and Karana (11 types, each half a Tithi).

How to use Panchang daily?

Check the day's Tithi and Nakshatra for overall auspiciousness, note Rahu Kaal timing to avoid starting important work, and identify any special observances. Modern Panchang apps provide this information for any location.

What is Rahu Kaal?

Rahu Kaal is a daily 90-minute inauspicious period ruled by Rahu. It's calculated from sunrise and varies by weekday. Traditionally, no new activities should be started during Rahu Kaal.