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Panchang โ€” Daily Vedic Calendar & Timing

Panchang (Panchanga) is the traditional Vedic almanac that classifies the quality of any time window. The word literally means "five limbs" โ€” five separate astronomical factors measured for every moment of every day. Unlike a Gregorian calendar that only marks dates, the Panchang adds a quality layer that practitioners use to choose start times for travel, agreements, ceremonies, learning, healing, and other meaningful activity.

This calculator computes Panchang values from sunrise and sunset for any latitude and longitude using sidereal positions and Lahiri ayanamsa. The result reflects local conditions โ€” Panchang values change as you move across time zones because Tithi, Yoga, and Karana are derived from the Sun-Moon angular relationship, while Vara and Nakshatra update based on local sunrise.

The Five Limbs of Panchang

Tithi (Lunar Day)

The angular gap between Sun and Moon, divided into 30 segments. Tithi sets the energetic tone โ€” Pratipada to Purnima for the bright fortnight, Pratipada to Amavasya for the dark fortnight. Some Tithis favour beginnings, others closure.

Vara (Weekday)

Each weekday is governed by a planet โ€” Sunday/Sun, Monday/Moon, Tuesday/Mars, Wednesday/Mercury, Thursday/Jupiter, Friday/Venus, Saturday/Saturn. Vara colours the day's natural disposition for action types.

Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion)

The Moon's position in one of 27 fixed star groups, each spanning 13 degrees 20 minutes. Nakshatra adds behavioural precision โ€” some support learning and contracts, others healing and devotional work.

Yoga

The combined longitude of Sun and Moon, divided into 27 segments. Yoga reflects the harmony or friction between solar will and lunar mind for that day. Some Yogas like Siddha and Amrita are highly favoured.

Karana (Half-Tithi)

Half of a Tithi, giving 60 Karanas in a lunar month โ€” 11 unique Karanas cycling through. Used for fine-grained activity selection, especially in Muhurta calculations and ceremonial timing.

Inauspicious Intervals (Avoid Major Beginnings)

  • Rahu Kala: A 90-minute daily window ruled by Rahu. Generally avoided for new ventures, agreements, and journeys. Its position in the day rotates by weekday.
  • Yamaganda: Window associated with Yama (death/restraint). Avoided for auspicious starts, but acceptable for routine continuation.
  • Gulika Kala: A subtle malefic window connected to Saturn's son Gulika. Used cautiously โ€” actions started here tend to repeat or recur.

Auspicious Windows (Best for Important Action)

  • Abhijit Muhurta: ~48-minute window centred on solar noon. Considered universally auspicious โ€” Lord Krishna's victory muhurta. Excellent for important meetings, signings, and beginnings.
  • Brahma Muhurta: Roughly 96 to 48 minutes before sunrise. The traditional time for meditation, study, and creative work โ€” sattva is highest, mind is least cluttered.
  • Amrit Kaal: Variable window each day calculated from Tithi and Vara. Strong for spiritual practice, prayer, and ceremonial starts.

Personalising Panchang: Universal Panchang gives a baseline of day quality, but personal chart factors decide fit. A day that is generally good can still be weak for you if it activates difficult natal combinations โ€” for example, transit Moon in your 8th house, or current Antardasha lord in conflict with the day's Vara lord. Combine Panchang with your natal chart and Dasha for stronger results. Read the full Panchang guide โ†’