Today's Panchang: Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana & Rahu Kaal Explained
Learn what Panchang means in Vedic astrology. Understand the 5 limbs — Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Vaar — plus Rahu Kaal timings for every day of the week.
What is Panchang?
The word Panchang comes from two Sanskrit words: Pancha (five) and Anga (limb). It is the traditional Vedic calendar system that tracks five essential elements of time. For thousands of years, Hindu families, priests, and astrologers have relied on the Panchang to determine auspicious and inauspicious timings for rituals, ceremonies, travel, business, and daily activities.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar that tracks only dates and days, the Panchang provides a multi-dimensional view of time by combining solar, lunar, and stellar positions. Every day has a unique combination of the five limbs, making some moments ideal for certain activities and others best avoided.
The Five Limbs of Panchang
1. Tithi (Lunar Day)
A Tithi is one of 30 phases of the Moon in its monthly cycle. Each Tithi represents a 12-degree difference between the Sun and Moon's longitudinal positions. There are 15 Tithis in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning phase (Krishna Paksha).
Key Tithis to know:
2. Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion)
The Nakshatra is the star constellation the Moon occupies on a given day. There are 27 Nakshatras, each spanning 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. The Nakshatra of the day influences the overall energy and is critical for selecting Muhurats.
Some Nakshatras are considered universally auspicious:
3. Yoga (Soli-Lunar Combination)
Yoga is calculated from the combined longitudes of the Sun and Moon. There are 27 Yogas, and each creates a specific energy pattern for the day. Some important ones include:
4. Karana (Half-Tithi)
A Karana is half of a Tithi. Since each Tithi is divided into two Karanas, there are 11 Karanas in total — 4 fixed and 7 recurring. Karanas fine-tune the auspiciousness of a Tithi.
| Type | Karanas | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, Kimstughna | Appear only once per lunar month |
| Recurring | Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, Vishti | Repeat 8 times per month |
Vishti Karana (also called Bhadra) is considered inauspicious and should be avoided for important tasks.
5. Vaar (Day of the Week)
Vaar is simply the day of the week, but in Vedic tradition, each day is ruled by a planet:
| Day | Ruling Planet | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday (Ravivar) | Sun | Government work, authority matters |
| Monday (Somvar) | Moon | Starting journeys, worship of Shiva |
| Tuesday (Mangalvar) | Mars | Property, courage, Hanuman worship |
| Wednesday (Budhvar) | Mercury | Education, business, communication |
| Thursday (Guruvar) | Jupiter | Spiritual activities, starting new ventures |
| Friday (Shukravar) | Venus | Marriage, arts, buying luxury items |
| Saturday (Shanivar) | Saturn | Oil donation, iron work, Shani worship |
Understanding Rahu Kaal
Rahu Kaal (also spelled Rahu Kalam) is a daily period of approximately 90 minutes ruled by the shadow planet Rahu. Activities started during Rahu Kaal are believed to face obstacles, delays, or failure. Most people avoid beginning new projects, signing documents, or starting journeys during this time.
Rahu Kaal Timings by Day
The Rahu Kaal period shifts each day of the week. Here are the standard timings (based on a sunrise at approximately 6:00 AM):
| Day | Rahu Kaal (Approx.) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM | 90 min |
| Monday | 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM | 90 min |
| Tuesday | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | 90 min |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | 90 min |
| Thursday | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | 90 min |
| Friday | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 90 min |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | 90 min |
**Note:** These timings vary based on your city's actual sunrise and sunset. For precise Rahu Kaal timings for your location, always use a Panchang tool that calculates based on local coordinates.
An Easy Way to Remember
A popular mnemonic for Rahu Kaal order (starting from Monday) is: "Mother Saw Father Wearing The Turban Slowly" — representing Monday, Saturday, Friday, Wednesday, Thursday, Tuesday, Sunday.
Why Should You Check the Panchang Daily?
How to Read a Panchang
When you look at a daily Panchang, you will typically see:
Check Today's Panchang
Want to know the exact Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Rahu Kaal for today based on your location? Check today's Panchang on MyRashifal+ — it is free, accurate, and updated daily using real astronomical calculations.
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